INDIANAPOLIS (May 1, 2024) – During the Kickoff to May event, presented by STAR Bank, the 500 Festival publicly announced the Grand Marshal for the AES 500 Festival Parade and the Kickoff to May Coloring Contest winners. 

The 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade Grand Marshal is Tamika Catchings. Tamika is a well-known name in the WNBA world. Catchings is a 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 10-time WNBA All-Star, 5-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a WNBA Champion. She completed 16 seasons in the WNBA and is known as one of the greatest women to ever play the game, retiring as the league’s No. 2 scorer and rebounder of all time. Tamika Catchings played for the Indiana Fever for her whole career. Since her retirement, Tamika has added business owner to her resume as well. In 2004, Catchings launched the Catch the Stars Foundation, which empowers youth by providing goal setting programs that promote fitness, literacy and youth development.  

“The AES 500 Festival Parade is an event that brings together families and members of the community to celebrate the most iconic moments of Indianapolis,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “It’s an honor to present Tamika Catchings as this year’s Grand Marshal. She is a living icon in the world of basketball but even more impressive is her story of perseverance and overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness and her dedication to supporting her community. We are excited to share her story and shine a light on her work with the Catch the Stars Foundation.” 

“It’s an honor to be selected as the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade Grand Marshal,” said Tamika Catchings. “To be able to showcase the achievements that I’ve worked so hard for is truly something special. I’m proud to highlight my career and the Catch the Stars Foundation, while encouraging children that they can achieve any goal they put their mind to.”  

AES 500 Festival Parade tickets are still available at 500festival.com/parade. Join us on Saturday, May 25, at noon to see Tamika Catchings in action!  

Another exciting announcement at Kickoff to May, presented by STAR Bank, was the Coloring Contest winners! Young race fans ages 12 and under were invited to celebrate the Month of May by entering the 2024 Kickoff to May Coloring Contest, presented by STAR Bank. Participants expressed their creativity by designing their own racecar, an iconic element of the Indianapolis 500 race. The two grand-prize winners for are 9-year-old Winnie Mattingly, from Indianapolis, IN and 4-year-old Celia Nolting, from Carmel IN. Each winner will receive a $500 scholarship, courtesy of STAR Bank, and a free 1-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program, courtesy of INDYCAR. To view Winnie’s winning entry, click here, and to view Celia’s winning entry click here. 

“Kickoff to May is more than just a celebration of the iconic month of May and the Indianapolis 500. It demonstrates our dedication to empowering young Hoosier minds across the state and nurturing their creativity through the coloring contest,” said Scott Bove, senior vice president/regional president of STAR Bank.