Parade The IPL 500 Festival Parade

DATE: Saturday, May 24, 2008
TIME:  Noon
LOCATION: Downtown Indianapolis
TICKETS: To order tickets call the 500 Festival Ticket Hotline at 317-614-6400, click here to order through Ticketmaster or visit one of the 15 AAA Hoosier Motor Club locations in and around Indianapolis.

IPL 500 Festival Parade...See the excitement! (video)

Celebrating 51 years of tradition, the IPL 500 Festival Parade will return to the streets of downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, May 24, 2008.

More than 300,000 spectators will kick-off race weekend while enjoying time with family and friends by watching the pageantry and larger-than-life floats light up the city.

Children will be amazed by the sight of some of their favorite costumed characters, Last year's event featured Angelica and Chuckie from the Rugrats, Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble.

The tradition continues with the 33 starting drivers of the Indianapolis 500 serving as honorary grand marshals the day before the race, riding in the traditional rows of three, with the winner of the pole position bringing up the rear.

The 2007 Parade was one of the most spectacular as the 500 Festival celebrated its 50th Anniversary and the 50th Parade.  The 2007 Grand Marshal was Indianapolis Colts Quarterback and Super Bowl XLI Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning.  Nationally-known celebrities, costumed characters, marching bands, patriotic units, specialty units, spectacular floats and giant helium balloons filled the streets to celebrate the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500.

Click here to see what celebrities have to say about spending Memorial Day weekend in Indy!