Media Contact: Sabrina List, 500 Festival
Mobile: 317.954.3203 | slist@500festival.com

INDIANAPOLIS (March 13, 2020) - On March 12, Governor Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health as well as Mayor Hogsett and the Marion County Department of Health released updated guidance to protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). They announced restrictions have been implemented all non-essential gatherings of 250 people or more. This restriction will be in effect for 30 days.

In accordance with these restrictions, the 500 Festival is canceling all events scheduled through April 11, including the following:

• 500 Festival 10-Miler, presented by OrthoIndy, scheduled for April 4
• Family Fun Night, scheduled for March 25
• Education Program Mobile Trips, scheduled for March 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25,
• Education Program Study Trips, scheduled for March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
• 500 Festival Corporate Member event, scheduled for April 2
• The 500 Festival is also making changes to smaller private events that are scheduled during that time (committee meetings, board meetings, etc.)
• All 500 Festival Princess Program community outreach activities are suspended through April 11

We kindly ask you to bear with us during this unprecedented time as we assess plans in response to mandated cancellations and make every effort to minimize the potential economic impact of these critical steps to protect public health and minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.

We realize that many of our participants and volunteers also participate or attend other 500 Festival events throughout the month of May and may have questions as to the impact on those events. This is an evolving situation and we will continue to monitor it closely while also working in close partnership with local and state officials. At this time, we are proceeding with plans to produce our month of May events. Any additional measures or announcements will be communicated to impacted participants, ticketholders, and volunteers via email. It will also be shared on our social media, websites (www.500festival.com and www.indymini.com) and to the media, as they occur.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment that this may cause, but the safety and health of our participants, volunteers, staff and community are our top priority and we will continue to be diligent in that regard.

We can’t say it enough – thank you for your support of the 500 Festival and our mission to enrich lives, positively impact our community and state, and celebrate the Indy 500. Our running events in particular, have provided funding that has enabled us to grow outreach to unprecedented levels as we now provide over 100,000 Indiana youth with free fitness and health programming annually.

CLICK HERE for up to date guidance and information from the Indiana State Department of Health

CLICK HERE for up to date guidance and information from the Marion County Health Department