INDIANAPOLIS (September 16, 2024) – The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2025 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis. The 500 Festival Princess Program celebrates Indiana college-age women who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, community involvement, service to others, and embody the Hoosier spirit. Applications are available at 500Festival.com/Princess and the deadline to apply is January 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. 

Those selected for the program will serve as ambassadors of their college or university, the 500 Festival, and the Indianapolis 500. Selected Princesses will also participate in various community service projects and outreach opportunities February through May.  

Key Program Highlights:  

• Leadership and Community Involvement: Princesses will represent the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the Indianapolis community and state of Indiana. Princesses are selected based on excellent leadership skills and commitment to making a positive impact on their schools or community. 

• Scholarship Opportunities: Each 500 Festival Princess will receive a $1,500 scholarship made possible by Marlyne Sexton, an Indianapolis philanthropist and president of The Sexton Companies, and the 500 Festival Foundation.  

• Professional Development: Princesses will gain leadership development skills and unique access to professional development and networking opportunities. They will receive one-on-one mentorship from the 500 Festival Board of Directors and experience hands-on opportunities to expand skills in public speaking, professionalism, leadership, community engagement, and more.    

• A Rich Tradition: Since 1959, the 500 Festival Princess Program has been an integral part of the Indianapolis 500 experience and has demonstrated the 500 Festival’s commitment to empowering young female leaders. Throughout the program’s history, more than 2,500 women have served.  

Top applicants will participate in interviews with an independent panel of community leaders on January 18 in Indianapolis. The top 66 applicants will then be invited to participate in a second round of interviews on February 1. After the second round of interviews, 33 applicants will be selected to serve as the 2025 500 Festival Princesses.  

Selection is based on the following categories:  

• Communication skills 

• Commitment to service 

• Commitment to academics  

• Leadership 

• Professionalism 

To learn more about the 500 Festival Princess Program and its eligibility requirements, please visit 500Festival.com/Princess.  

Support of the 500 Festival Princess Program is provided by The National Bank of Indianapolis, Marlyne Sexton, Khamis Fine Jewelers, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the 500 Festival Foundation.   

To learn more about the 500 Festival’s events and programs, please visit 500festival.com.  

About the 500 Festival | Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces life-enriching events and programs celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and fostering a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. As one of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $500 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, visit 500festival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.