Welcome 2024 500 Festival Interns! The 500 Festival is proud to announce the new class of 2024 interns who will be representing and contributing to the various events in the coming months and throughout the Month of May! Each intern has unique talents that will ultimately lead to a more positive impact for all the festivities ahead. These 10 students are eager to dive into the Festival’s upcoming events and put in their best effort for the Indianapolis community. While participating in the intern program, interns will experience a behind-the-scenes look at the famous Month of May in the heart ..read more

See the full 2022 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, Study Trip Schedule April 4- Carl Wilde Elementary IPS #79, Centerton Elementary School, Green Meadows Intermediate, IPS/Butler Lab 60, Mt. Healthy Elementary, Phalen Leadership Academy 103, Rosedale Elementary, Seymour Jackson Elementary School, St. Patrick School, Walnut Elementary School, Washington Catholic Elementary April 5- Clear Creek Christian School, Eastern Greene Elementary, Garden City Elementary, Hayden Elementary, Howard Elementary School James Russell Lowell 51, Nort ..read more

    We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! As a community-focused organization, we’re proud to celebrate the Hispanic and Latinx community – and the influence of its culture, traditions, and heritage – this month and every month. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting a few 500 Festival Princesses who shared how they leveraged their experience with the Princess Program to amplify the significance of their heritage with communities and youth across the state.   “As a Hispanic woman, I loved and appreciated having other Princesses that were a part of the Hisp ..read more

The 500 Festival met with August “Augie” A. Ebeling, a longtime volunteer of the 500 Festival for a Q&A session in regard to him being named the Grand Marshal for the 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade. In 2016, August was named the 500 Festival Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and generous donation of his time and talent in assisting the 500 Festival to produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate an impactful, community led-road to the Indianapolis 500. August’s commitment to service and passion for the 500 Festival has made a profound impact on the 500 Festival & Indi ..read more

On Saturday, April 23rd, the 500 Festival Princesses were all in attendance at the Indianapolis Arts Center to celebrate the 2022 Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis. 2022 marks the 63rd anniversary of the Princess Program. Throughout the years, more than 2,000 of Indiana’s most accomplished college-aged women have experienced the excitement of serving as ambassadors for the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.   One of the unique experiences of the 500 Festival Princess Program is the opportunity to create lifelong connections w ..read more

Since 1957, the 500 Festival has been a long-standing presence in the city of Indianapolis and its surrounding communities. Since its founding in 1957 as a way to celebrate the Indianapolis 500 race itself, it has since grown into a community-oriented, philanthropic foundation that continues to create new and lasting events from the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon to the highly remarked 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis. All the events in between have been a way for Hoosiers and around the country to celebrate the beginning of warm months ahead ..read more

See the full 2022 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, Study Trip Schedule April 4– Saint Simon the Apostle, Turkey Run Elementary School, Eastern Greene Elementary, Walnut Elementary, West Crawford Elementary School, Central Elementary, Mt. Healthy Elementary School, Margaret R. Brown Elementary, Bloomfield Elementary April 5- Little Flower Catholic School, Brush Creek Elementary, South Crawford Elementary, Lilian C. Schmitt Elementary School, St. John Lutheran School, Saint Matthew Catholic School, Clarence Farrington, St. Michael Cat ..read more

What does it mean to be a 500 Festival Princess? Each year, 33 of Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven college-aged women are selected to be a part of the 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis. As a 500 Festival Princess, you can experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for scholarship, leadership, professional development, philanthropic outreach, friendship, and unforgettable memories! Take it from previous 500 Festival Princesses themselves and what being a 500 Festival Princess means to them:   Service “While the crown and sash mig ..read more

We are saddened by the loss of longtime friend and supporter of the 500 Festival, Bob Jenkins. A lifelong race fan and legendary Indianapolis 500 broadcaster, Bob’s voice became the signature sound of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each May. Bob passed away at the age of 73 on Monday, August 9, after an 8-month battle with brain cancer. Originally from Liberty, Indiana, Bob’s older brother first told him about the Indy 500. He attended his first qualifications in 1958 and his first Indy 500 just two years later. Until his cancer diagnosis, Bob only missed two races – 1961 and 1965.   Bo ..read more

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