The 500 Festival, Your source for the month of May in Indianapolis

Franklin native, Franklin University student crowned 2008 500 Festival Queen
The 500 Festival announced today that Karle Schaefer of Franklin, Indiana was selected the 2008 500 Festival Queen at the annual Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Celebrity line-up announced for the 2008 IPL 500 Festival Parade
The IPL 500 Festival Parade, scheduled for noon, Saturday, May 24 in downtown Indianapolis, will once again feature a diverse line-up of celebrities.

Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day and Rookie run take place this Sunday, May 18
Kids’ Day is the state’s largest free outdoor festival for children. Families can interact with local mascots and clowns, race mini cars, bounce in giant inflatables and create arts and crafts.

Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy
The 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy is Saturday, May 17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 9:30 a.m.

Kenyans make history as they win the 2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
It couldn’t have gotten any closer in the men’s race during the 2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

PATRICIA HEATON NAMED IPL 500 FESTIVAL PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
Emmy award-winning actress Patricia Heaton will serve as grand marshal of the 2008 IPL 500 Festival Parade as was announced today by 500 Festival President and CEO Kirk Hendrix.

500 Festival Kick-Off to May
The 500 Festival will kick-off the month of May and celebrate its 2008 theme: Fuel the Dream on Thursday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Monument Circle.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Weekend Kick-Off
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K activities will officially kick-off on Thursday, May 1.

500 Festival stages remote version of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
The 500 Festival is giving soldiers currently deployed overseas the chance to participate in a special remote Mini-Marathon. Soldiers from the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team currently deployed at LSA Anaconda/Balad Air Force Base will be able to participate in a special remote version of the 2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

500 Festival gears up for May with 2008 500 Festival Princess Brunch
The 33 500 Festival Princesses will gather with their parents and the 500 Festival Board of Directors and staff on Sunday, April 27 for the 500 Festival Princess Brunch.

Guest speaker announced for 2008 500 Festival Memorial Service
The 500 Festival will kick-off Memorial Day weekend by remembering and honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by Indiana men and women who perished while serving in the armed forces. General Victor E. Renuart Jr., Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, will serve as the keynote speaker.

500 Festival Training Series 15K
Over 2,100 participants are pre-registered for the 15K run/walk that begins and ends at the Indiana State Museum.

Tickets now available for the IPL 500 Festival Parade
The 500 Festival announced today tickets for the 2008 IPL 500 Festival Parade can now be purchased at select AAA Hoosier Motor Club service centers and through Ticketmaster.

Kids’ to run this town at the 14th annual Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run
Children will get the opportunity to run this town just as the 14th annual Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run gets underway. The Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run is a noncompetitive fun run that celebrates physical fitness.

Troops and families to prepare packages for soldiers in Balad
The 500 Festival, members of the Indiana National Guard and family members of soldiers from the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team currently deployed at LSA Anaconda/Balad Air Force Base will load items needed for a special remote version of the 2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

2008 Finish Line 500 Festival 5K Sells Out
The 500 Festival announced today the 2008 Finish Line 500 Festival 5K has sold out with 4,000 entries. This comes just one week after the 500 Festival announced due to the popularity of the race the field would be expanded by 500 entries.

Care Bears Headline 2008 Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day
Families are invited to celebrate the month of May with the Care Bears from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 on Monument Circle.

500 Festival Selects 33 Young Women to Serve as 500 Festival Princesses
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.

Bobby Rahal guest speaker at 2008 Breakfast at the Brickyard
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.

2008 Theme “Fuels the Dream” of Fans, Participants and Volunteers
This May, celebrate the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 theme -- “Fuel the Dream” -- with a month-long roster of events culminating with the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Record enrollment for the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500® Education Program
This year 25,500 fourth graders from around Indiana are participating; a record for the program.

Volunteer Registration System now open for 2008 season
The 500 Festival announced today a new Volunteer Registration System for the 2008 500 Festival Volunteer Program is open. Those interested in volunteering can sign-up by going to www.500festival.com.

Mini-Marathon sells out with 35,000 entries
The 32nd running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has sells out more than five months in advance of the May 3, 2008 race.