500 Festival Events
Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a local non-profit organization which conducts numerous community events in the Indianapolis area surrounding, celebrating, and promoting the race. Their biggest events each year are the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and the 500 Festival Parade. Many other activities are organized in the days leading up to the race, including the festival princesses program, the mayors breakfast, memorial service, Snake Pit Ball, educational programs. Past events include the 500 Festival Open golf tournament and Community Day at the track.
500 Festival Mini-Marathon
First held in 1977, the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is half marathon held as part of the 500 Festival events. Since its inception, the 13.1-mile course has included a lap of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. What started as a small event with about 700 participants has grown into one of the largest half marathons in the country.
From 1977 to 1992, the event was held on the Friday of race weekend. At the time, Carb Day was held on Thursday, the mini-marathon would be held Friday, the 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, and the Indianapolis 500 itself on Sunday. In 1993, the mini-marathon was moved to the first weekend in May.
There have been three distinct course layouts over the years. The first layout was used from 1977 to 1992. This “one-way” course started downtown near Monument Circle, went north past Crown Hill Cemetery and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, then out to the track. The runners took a partial lap around the oval, and the finish line for the runners was the famous yard of bricks.
In 1993, a new “round-trip” course was created. The runners started downtown near Monument Circle, then headed west on 10th Street out to the track. The runners would take a full lap of the Speedway oval, then head back east (on Michigan Street) and finish the race back downtown near the starting line.
In 1999, the race was moved from Friday to Saturday, and new third course was laid out. This course layout continues to be used as of 2024. The runners start downtown near Monument Circle, then run pass the Indianapolis Zoo on their way out to the track. They take 10th St. to the Speedway, take the lap around the track, and return downtown on Michigan Street. The race ends on New York Street a couple blocks away from the starting line.
For race results, see 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
| Day | Date | Course Map |
| Friday | May 27, 1977 | Course map |
| Friday | May 26, 1978 | Course map |
| Friday | May 25, 1979 | Course map |
| Friday | May 23, 1980 | Course map |
| Friday | May 22, 1981 | Course map |
| Friday | May 28, 1982 | Course map |
| Friday | May 27, 1983 | Course map |
| Friday | May 25, 1984 | Course map |
| Friday | May 24, 1985 | Course map |
| Friday | May 23, 1986 | Course map |
| Friday | May 22, 1987 | Course map |
| Friday | May 27, 1988 | Course map |
| Friday | May 26, 1989 | Course map |
| Friday | May 25, 1990 | Course map |
| Friday | May 24, 1991 | Course map |
| Friday | May 22, 1992 | Course map |
| Friday | May 7, 1993 | Course map |
| Friday | May 6, 1994 | Course map |
| Friday | May 5, 1995 | Course map |
| Friday | May 3, 1996 | Course map |
| Friday | May 2, 1997 | Course map |
| Friday | May 1, 1998 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 1, 1999 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 6, 2000 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 5, 2001 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 4, 2002 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 3, 2003 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 8, 2004 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 7, 2005 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 6, 2006 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 5, 2007 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 3, 2008 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 2, 2009 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 8, 2010 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 7, 2011 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 5, 2012 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 4, 2013 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 3, 2014 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 2, 2015 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 7, 2016 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 6, 2017 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 5, 2018 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 4, 2019 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 2, 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 | |
| Saturday | May 7, 2022 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 6, 2023 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 4, 2024 | Course map |
| Saturday | May 3, 2025 | Course map |
500 Festival Parade
One of the biggest events of the month, outside of the race itself, is the annual 500 Festival Parade. First held in 1957, the parade takes place downtown, and is said to be one of the largest parades of its kind. Since 1974, the parade has been traditionally held the day before the race. Participants in the parade traditionally include the 500 Festival Queen and Princesses, celebrities, marching bands, floats, clowns, and the drivers in the Indy 500 starting field.
Prior to 1971, the Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30 (Memorial Day, proper) regardless of the day of the week. If May 30 fell on a Sunday, the race was scheduled for Monday May 31. As such, the parade – usually held one or two days prior to the race – often fell on a weekday. In most cases through 1972, the parade was held at night.
In 1971–1972, the race was moved to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. In those two years, the parade was held Friday night. Then in 1973, the race was scheduled for Monday Memorial Day. For that year only, the parade was scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Beginning in 1974, the race was permanently moved to the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. This allowed the parade to be moved permanently to Saturday afternoon. Since the mid-1970s, the start time has been around 12 noon local time.
The parade route has remained mostly the same over the decades, traversing south down Pennsylvania Street then north up Meridian Street. One difference however, is that in some years the route avoided Monument Circle. In 2002, the route was shortened at the end (by about a half-mile) to finish at 11th Street rather than 16th Street. This was due to sparse crowds towards the end, and the need to station police near the biggest crowds.
| Year | Day (Time) | Date | Parade Lineup |
Parade Route Map |
| 1957 | Wednesday (7 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1958 | Thursday (7:30 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1959 | Friday (7 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1960 | Saturday (7 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1961 | Saturday (7 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 1962 | Monday (7 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1963 | Tuesday (7 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1964 | Thursday (7 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1965 | Saturday (7 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1966 | Saturday (7 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1967 | Sunday (3:30 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1968 | Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1969 | Wednesday (6 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1970 | Thursday (6 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1971 | Friday (6 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1972 | Friday (6 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 1973 | Sunday (3 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 1974 | Saturday (1 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 1975 | Saturday (11 a.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 1976 | Saturday (1 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1977 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1978 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 1979 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 1980 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 1981 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup | Map |
| 1982 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 1983 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1984 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 1985 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 1986 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 1987 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup/Lineup | Map |
| 1988 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1989 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 1990 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 1991 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 1992 | Saturday (12:30 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup | Map |
| 1993 | Saturday (11:45 a.m.) | May 29 | Lineup/Lineup | Map |
| 1994 | Saturday (11:45 a.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 1995 | Saturday (11:45 a.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 1996 | Saturday (11 a.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 1997 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 1998 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup | Map |
| 1999 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 2000 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 2001 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 2002 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 2003 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 2004 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 2005 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 2006 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 2007 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 2008 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 2009 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup | Map |
| 2010 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 29 | Lineup | Map |
| 2011 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 2012 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 2013 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 2014 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
| 2015 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 23 | Lineup | Map |
| 2016 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 2017 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 2018 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 26 | Lineup | Map |
| 2019 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 | |||
| 2021 | Not held due to COVID-19 | |||
| 2022 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 28 | Lineup | Map |
| 2023 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 27 | Lineup | Map |
| 2024 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 25 | Lineup | Map |
| 2025 | Saturday (12 p.m.) | May 24 | Lineup | Map |
In 1997, a fire swept through the warehouse being used to store the floats for the parade early Wednesday morning. A total of 10 of the 14 floats were destroyed, and threated to cancel the parade. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s float was one of those destroyed in the fire. Buddy Lazier’s 1996 Indy 500 winning car was to ride on the float. The car was spared only because the IMS Museum had made the decision to wait until last minute before delivering it to the parade staging area. Parade organizers saved the parade by creating replacement floats for the ten that were destroyed. The replacement floats featured a large drawing or picture of each of those floats, mounted on large billboards so parade-goers could see them go by as had been intended.
Golf Tournaments
The 500 Festival Open was a PGA Tour event held from 1960 through 1968 at the Speedway Golf Course. For the first six editions, it was held in the days leading up to the race, or bookended around race day. During that time, the tournament used the original “9-inside/9-outside” course that was originally built in 1929. This layout featured nine holes outside of the track, outside the backstrech, and nine holes situated inside the track’s infield. While some notable players, including Arnold Palmer, competed multiple times, the event generally struggled to attract the top talent on the tour. The low purse and tournament date were factors. Jack Nicklaus for instance, complained in 1964 about that year’s unusual Wed–Thu–Fri–Sun schedule, which saw race cars on the track (for Carburetion Day testing) while the tournament was playing on Thursday, followed by a day of on Saturday (for race day), then a return Monday for the final round after the race.
Scheduling the tournament on days both before and after race day in 1964 also created challenges for Speedway superintendent Clarence Cagle and the grounds crews. They were required to hurriedly clean up massive amounts of garbage, litter, and debris leftover in the infield to make the course playable.
The 1965 event was moved to Greentree Country Club (now known as Twin Lakes Golf Club) while the Speedway Golf Course was undergoing renovations.
The Speedway Golf Course re-opened in 1966, as a 27-hole facility. A full 18-hole course was located outside the track, and a 9-hole course was located in the infield. When it returned in 1966, the tournament was moved out of the month of May, and contested in either June or July. For 1966, a special exhibition duel was held on May 29 between Arnold Palmer and Doug Sanders to help re-open the facility.
In 1968, an LPGA Tour event was also held, one week after the PGA event. Both events ceased after the 1968 season. The 500 Festival committee was unable to come to agreements with the PGA Tour on a date for the tournament, and the course set-up since the 1965 refurbishment was criticized by some for difficulty. The event was left off the PGA calendar, then soon after, dropped also by the LPGA.
500 Festival Open
| Year | Dates | Pro-Am | Qualifier | Round 1 Results |
Round 2 Results |
Round 3 Results |
Round 4 Results |
| 1960 | May 26–27–28–29 | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1961 | May 25–26–27–28 | Wed | Tue | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1962 | May 24–25–26–27 | Wed | Tue | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1963 | May 31, June 1–2–3 | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon |
| 1964 | May 27–28–29, 31 | Wed | Mon | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sun |
| 1965 | May 27–28–29–30 | Wed | Tue | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1966 | July 28–29–30–31 | Wed | – | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1967 | July 6–7–8–9 | Wed | Mon | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1968 | June 6–7–8–9 | Wed | Mon | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
500 Ladies Golf Classic
| Year | Dates | Pro-Am | Round 1 Results |
Round 2 Results |
Round 3 Results |
| 1968 | June 14–15–16 | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
Additional works cited
- 500 Festival – Official Site
- The Indianapolis Star via Newspapers.com
- The Indianapolis News via Newspapers.com
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