Alec Rowan

No other singular sporting event in the world has a legacy like the Indianapolis 500. No other event has shaped and defined a city and state and their people like the Indianapolis 500. The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500. 60+ years later, the 500 Festival is one of the largest and most respected festivals in the nation, adding to the quality of life for Indiana’s citizens and their guests. Each year, the 500 Festival brings more than half a million people to the heart of Indiana to celebrate the magical month of May. Whether they are participants in one of the nation's largest half marathons, fourth-grade students in the Education Program, families enjoying the state's largest festival for kids, or spectators at one of the nation's largest parades, there’s nothing quite like Indy’s electricity leading up to the Indianapolis 500. Key 500 Festival events include: the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon; the 500 Festival mini-mini; JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kid's Day & Rookie Run; the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. (held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway); the 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce; the IPL 500 Festival Parade and the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball.