COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
INDIANAPOLIS 500
The Community Engagement of the Indianapolis 500 puts fans first and allows them to show their Indy 500 passion and spirit, one of the biggest traditions that makes IMS the place Where Tradition Never Stops. IMS and the Indianapolis community have come together to offer many ways for you to be a part of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing!”
WELCOME RACE FANS
In the month of May, Indianapolis is unmistakably preoccupied with black and white checkered flags, car culture imagery, and of course the ubiquitous Welcome Race Fans banners that boldly blanket the city everywhere from your neighbor’s front porch and the local cafe on up to the most upscale restaurants and hotels. Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Arts Council are proud to partner for the 2024 Welcome Race Fans program. The five artists who will create this year’s welcoming artwork are Anna Afshar, Lindsey Lord, Miracle Hall (Ratat Rayay), Jaylei Marie Osting and Carlos Sosa Pagán.
WELCOMING DÉCOR
The Indy 500 Downtown Décor Invasion is a collaboration with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Visit Indy to ensure the characteristic hospitality of Indianapolis is obvious for visitors during the Month of May. Beautiful signage will greet race fans at the Indianapolis International Airport, and in downtown Indianapolis at locations such as the JW Marriott, the Arts Garden, Simon Malls, Harry and Izzy’s and more. Plus, we also work with the City of Indianapolis to rename downtown Indianapolis streets after the star athletes of the Indianapolis 500! Make sure you grab your photo with your favorite piece of signage and post it on social media for everyone to see by tagging @IMS.
KICKOFF TO MAY
One of the greatest months in Indiana history is the start of the countdown to the Indy 500. The most important month in Central Indiana is here, and it’s time to celebrate! On May 1 raise your checkered flags high to mark the start of the Month of May and the countdown to the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Be sure to share your images on social media by tagging @IMS. Join us Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Monument Circle for the 500 Festival Kickoff to May presented by STAR Bank.
PORCHING
Porch Parties are an incredibly popular part of the Indy 500 celebration and serve as a great example of the community spirit this city has for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. In collaboration with the Harrison Center, race fans are encouraged to show what “This is May” means by hosting a fun racing-themed Porch Party that helps neighbors connect, build local communities and celebrate the spirit of the Indianapolis 500. Show off your Hoosier pride and encourage your local neighborhood to embrace the energy of the Month of May!
#500FASHION
The best way to show off your racing spirit is by wearing it! Central Indiana residents are encouraged to incorporate racing and the “500” into their attire on the four Fridays of May, called #500Fashion Fridays: May 3, May 10, May 17 and May 24.
BIKE TO THE 500
Tired of waiting in traffic to get to the race? Want to have a fun time with family and friends? Want to discover an alternative way to commute to the track on Race Day? Say no more! We’ve got you covered with Bike to the 500 presented by Bike Indianapolis, a route that gets you straight to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge without the hassle of traffic. Register now to save your spot!
NATURALIZATION CEREMONY
The opening day for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 will kick off with a naturalization ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In honor of the Indy 500 starting field, 33 individuals from around the world will be inducted as United States citizens at the Racing Capital of the World on Tuesday, May 14. Their first event as U.S. citizens will be the first Indianapolis 500 practice of the year that afternoon.
HANDLEBAR HOT LAPS
Grab your colleagues and get them revved up for the Handlebar Hot Lap. Every year, we rev up excitement for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge by bringing local businesses and race fans together. Handlebar Hot Laps make colleagues work together and take on other Indianapolis businesses in a 32-team tournament-style Handlebar race with the ultimate bragging rights on the line. Register now for this year’s Handlebar Hot Laps taking place on Tuesday, May 21.
COMMUNITY DAY
Indianapolis 500 Community Day was created to teach students in kindergarten through 8th grade about the importance of nutrition, well-being, and physical fitness, and to offer a real-world perspective into the motorsports industry. Each year, we focus on bringing together drivers who entered in the Indianapolis 500 and children in local Indianapolis schools. On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, several drivers will visit Wayne Township Schools, Speedway Schools and Charter schools located around Speedway, impacting more than 2,000 students.
AES 500 FESTIVAL PARADE
The AES 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation’s largest and most respected parades, earning national acclaim alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade returns to Indianapolis’ downtown streets Saturday, May 25! More than 300,000 people will line the city to experience larger-than-life floats, giant helium balloons, celebrities and dignitaries, award-winning bands and all 33 drivers competing in the Indianapolis 500.
500 MILK BOTTLES BY THE INDY 500
Five hundred exclusively numbered milk bottles will be presented to celebrities, community leaders, partners and fans in the lead-up to the green flag for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Rally for Mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana
Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Indians, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Indiana Sports Corp in our Rally for MENtors! From April 1 through June 30, we’re looking for 300 Men in 3 Months to be matched with one of the 800 boys in our community still waiting for a Big