500 Festival Training Series presented by OrthoIndy (Indiana State Museum)
5K: February 9, 2008 - 8:30 a.m.
10K: March 1, 2008 - 8:00 a.m.
5K: April 12, 2008 - 8:00 a.m.

The 500 Festival Training Series allows participants to run on part of the actual Mini-Marathon course and practice using water stations. The Training Series, comprised of three events, is designed to allow participants the opportunity to gauge their progression in preparation for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on Saturday, May 3.

May 1st Kickoff (Monument Circle)
May 1, 2008 - 12:00 p.m.

Come celebrate the start of a month-long series of events and programs with the 500 Festival Board of
Director’s, staff and the 2008 500 Festival Princesses. Enjoy great music and food as we gear up for
another exciting May!

Mini-Marathon Expo & Packet Pick-Up (Convention Center)
May 1, 2008 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
May 2, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Mini-Marathon Expo & Packet Pick-Up is the exciting start to the Mini-Marathon weekend. All participants are required to pick-up race packets and goodie bags at the Mini Expo. The Mini-Marathon Expo & Packet Pick-Up features guest speakers, interactive activities for all ages, including a race simulator and a great selection of exhibitors looking for a large crowd of healthy lifestyle individuals.

Mini-Marinarathon (Westin Hotel)
May 2, 2008 – 5:30 p.m.
The Mini-Marinarathon is the official pre-race party the night before the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. This is your chance before the big race to meet participants from all over the world. And don’t forget about the great food! This is one pasta celebration you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased by calling (317) 614-MINI.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon (Downtown Indianapolis)
May 3, 2008 - 7:30 a.m.
On May 2, 35,000 runners and walkers will take to the streets of downtown Indianapolis for the 32nd running of the largest half-marathon in the nation. The 13.1-mile course stretches from downtown Indianapolis to the famed 2.5 mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ends downtown in Military Park. This year’s race sold out on November 30, 2007 with entries from 50 states and 8 countries.

Finish Line 500 Festival 5K (Downtown Indianapolis)
May 3, 2008 - 8:15 a.m.
Entering its 9th year in 2008, the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K race is designed for the whole family. The 5K uses the same start and finish line as the Mini, and participants receive many of the same benefits as the participants of the Mini-Marathon.

500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
May 17, 2008 —7:00 a.m.
The 2008 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy will feature open wheel racing champion, team owner and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal as the guest speaker. Rahal will speak on the topic of ethanol fuel and take part in a Q&A session hosted by veteran motorsports commentator Bob Jenkins. Guests will enjoy a hearty Hoosier breakfast, the opportunity to see the crowning of the 2008 500 Festival Queen crowned, take a lap around the famed oval in their own vehicle, tour the garages and experience the third day of qualifying for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day (Monument Circle)
May 18, 2008 - 12:00 p.m.
Join 1070 The Fan and bring the kids to Indiana’s largest outdoor FREE festival for children! Free live performances, appearances by the Care Bears, arts and crafts, games, face painting, clowns and prizes for every kid, in addition to the Rookie Run – where kids ages 3-12 can run their very own “mini.”
Click here for more information

Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run (Monument Circle)
May 18, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.
Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to join the Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, a non-competitive fun-run where everyone goes home a winner. The purpose of the Rookie Run is to promote physical fitness and introduce the 500 Festival to children at a young age. All children who participate finish with medals, regardless of how long they run.
Click here for more information

American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
May 21, 2008 - 9:00 a.m.
Ever wonder what it would be like to drive around the track at the Speedway? Then rev up your engines and join 1070 The Fan for the American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day! Take a lap around the track in your own car, tour the IRL car transport trailers, see Pit Lane and watch the crews practice, get autographs from current drivers and past champions and loads more! It’s an up-close and inside look at the race!

TO LAP THE TRACK: Enter gate #10 off 30th Street to drive your car around the track. TICKETS: $7/person; Kids 6 and under free; available at Gate #2 or Gate #10.
Click here for more information

500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce (Monument Circle)
May 23, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
The 500 Festival Memorial Day, presented by Rolls-Royce honors Indiana’s military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in America’s wars. All the excitement that surrounds the annual running of the Indianapolis 500 eagerly pauses for one solemn morning each May as a grateful community gives honor to Hoosiers who died in defense of our country so that others might remain free. The Memorial Service is held downtown on the north steps of the Soldier’s and Sailors’ Monument on Friday morning of race weekend.

IPL 500 Festival Parade (Downtown Indianapolis)
May 24, 2008 - 12:00 p.m.
One of the original events produced by the 500 Festival, the IPL 500 Festival Parade, has grown to be one of the signature events held in the United States each year. The 500 Festival Parade is the only event which has taken place every year, beginning in 1957. Nearly 300,000 people line the streets of downtown Indianapolis on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to enjoy this spectacular event. Approximately 3,000 volunteers helped coordinate the 2007 IPL 500 Festival Parade. The Parade features all 33 drivers in the Indianapolis 500, 33 500 Festival Princesses, spectacular floats, bands from across America, giant balloons and specialty units. The Parade is nationally telecast on ESPN2 and is locally televised on WISH-TV Channel 8, a CBS affiliate. Throughout the years, the financial support from the title sponsor and float and balloon sponsors has helped to further the development of creative ideas to enhance the Parade on the street as well as its telecast. Each year the Parade reflects the Festival theme through its floats and special décor on the Parade route.
Click here for the parade route
Click here for the parade street closings
Buy parade tickets

Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball, presented by Cindy & Paul Skjodt (Indiana Roof Ballroom)
May 24, 2008 - 6:00 p.m.
Taking place in the Indiana Roof Ballroom, the Snakepit Ball has become a race-eve tradition. Known as the place to see the stars, the black-tie preferred party includes red carpet arrivals by celebrities in town for race weekend and special VIP guests. Dinner and dancing will round out the celebration. This year attendees will be dancing and swaying to the music of R&B super group the O’Jays. The O’Jays, are living legends after making international hits for more than 40 years.

500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program
A record number of fourth-grade students from around Indiana will take part in the 2008 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500® Education Program. Last year nearly 24,000 fourth graders participated in the program. This year 25,500 fourth graders from around Indiana are participating; a record for the program.

The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500® Education Program strives to educate and foster creativity in Hoosier fourth-grade students by using the historical, social and economic significances of the 500 Festival, Indianapolis 500 and the thriving motorsports industry of Indiana in the curriculum. The program provides a complimentary Indiana Academic Standard-compliant curriculum to fourth-grade teachers from schools and communities across Indiana in subjects including Indiana history, social studies, health, language arts, science, physical education and math.

The classroom lessons are followed by an optional Study Trip (field trip) to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April or May. Students apply lessons learned in the classroom with on-site programming and experiences designed to further educate them on the significance of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500’s heritage and place in Indiana history. The program is offered to students in the fourth grade as this is the year.

500 Festival Princess Program
This year Thirty-three young women from across Indiana will serve in the 2008 500 Festival Princess Program. As ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 and their hometowns, the princesses will attend 500 Festival events and volunteer programs throughout the month of May. In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs of their choosing. Princesses are also present at various Indianapolis Motor Speedway functions and participate in the Indianapolis 500 Victory Circle celebration.

This year’s 500 Festival princesses represent 12 Indiana colleges and universities and 20 cities and towns across the state. The young women were selected from 263 applicants based on communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement.