We can’t be together this May, but there are still tons of ways to celebrate from home! We’re adding more ideas and resources daily, so keep checking to see what’s new and Don’t forget to follow the 500 FEstival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
A NEW WAY TO #500KIDSDAY
The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day is an Indy 500 celebration that’s sized for kids. With interactive, educational displays in a carnival-like atmosphere, Kids’ Day gives children the opportunity to stretch their minds and their muscles.🤸 Bring the excitement and learning of Kids’ Day and Rookie Run home with you while we can’t be together during this time. The virtual #500KidsDay activity videos are here and full of hands-on activities for kids, including 500 Festival Princess Program lead sash and tiara making, entertaining exercise videos, and so much more! We’re adding new videos regularly, so be sure to check back.
Workout with the Indianapolis Public Library
Bake Dinner Rolls with Sabrina!
Follow along with Sabrina’s Dinner Roll Recipe Ingredient list and Instructions to make your very own yummy dinner rolls.
Host YOUR VERY OWN #500KIDSDAY DANCE PARTY
Get ready for an epic dance party with 500 Festival’s Virtual #500KidsDay Dance Party Playlist on Spotify! Break out your favorite dance moves and move to the beat of the music.
For more #500KidsDay activities you can do at home, click on the button below or watch the full collection of Virtual Kids’ Day Activity videos on the #500KidsDay Virtual Activity Playlist. Show us your Kids’ Day creations and dance moves on social media by using the hashtag #500KidsDay and tagging the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
virtual 500 Festival memorial service
The month of May in Indianapolis is a celebration of the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500. For 60+ years, the 500 Festival Memorial Service has been a time for the community to come together downtown Indianapolis and reflect upon a very important holiday in the midst of racing festivities – Memorial Day. It is and a weekend to remember the sacrifices made by the brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces. While we can’t gather at the Indiana War Memorial for the 2020 500 Festival Memorial Service, many of the event’s traditional speakers have shared their remarks, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the United States.
2020 Virtual 500 Festival Memorial Service speakers include:
- Bob Bryant, President & CEO, 500 Festival
- Kevin J. Bartlett, National Judge Advocate, The American Legion
- Rob Pruitt, Chairman, 500 Festival Board of Directors
- The Honorable Joseph H. Hogsett, Mayor of Indianapolis
- Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles, Adjutant General, Indiana National Guard
- The Honorable Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana
Let us all pay tribute to our fallen heroes on this Memorial Day weekend. #500MemService
A New Way to Parade
We’re bringing you A New Way To Parade and this time, YOU get to be the star! This virtual celebration of the AES 500 Festival Parade features homemade parade floats created by families at home.
Want to design your own float? Use this worksheet from the 500 Festival & Indy 500 Education Program, presented by IU Health, to plan and design your float before you build it using materials from around your house. Show off your floats on social media and tag the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtags #500EdProg and #aes500Parade. We’ll feature our favorites and there may even be awards!
Looking for some creative inspiration? Learn more about how the AES 500 Festival Parade floats come to life in the 500 Festival Education Program’s video below.
VIRTUAL visits & story time WITH The 500 FESTIVAL PRINCESS program
A staple of 500 Festival Princess Program is its commitment to community outreach and service to educate Hoosiers about the history and legacy of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500. Though our current circumstances may prohibit typical outreach and service opportunities, the women are still committed to supporting and giving back to communities across the state of Indiana in a virtual way. If you would like a 500 Festival Princess to visit your classroom or group’s video conference during the month of May, please complete the request form found on this page.
Your young race fan can enjoy virtual story time with the 500 Festival Princess Program!
Princess Margaret Mary reads Hot Wheels
Princess Nicole reads The Kissing Hand and Worm Diary.
Princess Bailey reads I Want to be Somebody New.
We’re adding new stories every week! Watch the full collection of Virtual Story Time videos at the 500 Festival Princess Program’s Facebook page.
500 Festival Zoom Backdrop
Bring the magic of May to your video chats and conferencing with 500 Festival backdrops. Whether you’re the guest of honor in the AES 500 Festival Parade or logging in from the start line of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, these backdrops will make your video calls much more festive!
To add your 500 Festival backdrop:
- Right click on the image and save it to your computer.
- Add your backdrop in the custom settings for your video platform. Instructions for Zoom | Instructions for Teams
- Have fun!
Snap a picture of your 500 Festival backdrop in use during your video chat or conference and share your on social media. Tag the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for a chance to be featured on our website or social media.
31 Days of may challenge
Celebrating May is a family affair! We created a whole calendar of daily activities and challenges for your household to complete while we’re all staying safe at home. From crafts to cooking, to educational lessons and fitness activities, each day brings an exciting new way to celebrate May! Print off the calendar to hang somewhere in the house and follow the 500 Festival on Facebook for instructions for that day’s challenge. We can’t wait to see what you all create and perform!
Month of May word Scramble
“Drivers, start your engines!” is an iconic phrase associated with the month of May, but there are plenty more that make you instantly think of May! 500 Festival Word Scramble Challenge yourself to find all of the words in our Month of May Word Scramble! Some of your favorite words and phrases associated with the greatest month of the year are hiding in our word scramble. Share your completed sheet on social media and tag the 500 Festival on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
COLOR YOUR WAY INTO MAY & thank our Hoosier heroes
Get out the markers, colored pencils, crayons, or whatever your preferred medium is and create a masterpiece to thank our essential workers. Download our four different coloring sheets and let your imagination lead the way. Send us your completed coloring sheets we’ll deliver them to Hoosier frontline workers across the state – including healthcare workers, educators, transportation workers, grocery store employees and others.
There are four coloring sheets available – color them all! Click on the images below to download your coloring sheets or visit our Kickoff to May Coloring Contest webpage for more details. Share your at-home art stations and creations by using the hashtag #MayKickoff on social media and tagging us at @500Festival. We will feature your work on our social media!
Take a look at the submitted masterpieces that we have received! Find your child’s creative art designs from this album and share the photos with others to help spread hope and give thanks to the frontline workers in your life.
recreate The Rookie Run experience
The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run is an exciting way to introduce kids to the basics of running. While we can’t be together to watch all the rookie runners participate during the month of May, you can bring the race experience to your own backyard, a neighborhood sidewalk or a trail!
We’ve got tons of resources for rookie participants, including customizable race bibs and Rookie Run Finisher Certificates!
500 festival scavenger hunt
The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day & Rookie Run give kids the opportunity to be active and explore the sights and sounds of May. Bring the excitement and learning of Kids’ Day and Rookie Run with you on your next walk with the 500 Festival Scavenger Hunt! Each scavenger hunt experience is unique and we would love to see yours. Share your scavenger hunt photos on social media, tag the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and use #500KidsDay for a chance to be featured on our website or social media.
Complete the 500 Festival Chalk-stacle course
Art and fitness come together with our chalk obstacle course- The 500 Festival Chalk-Stacle Course! Use chalk on your driveway or sidewalk to recreate the course. Then challenge others in your house to complete each activity! Feel free to add-in your own personalized flair so your Chalk-Stacle Course reflects how your family celebrates May. Share your photos on social media and tag the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and use #NewWaytoMay.
DESIGN YOUR OWN RACING FLAG
Learn about the various racing flags used in the IndyCar Series and design your own! Use this 500 Festival Education Program worksheet to plan and design a new flag for the flagman to use during the Greatest Spectacle in Racing – the Indianapolis 500. Bonus points if you create and construct your flag using materials around your house. Don’t forget to practice waving your new flag in the famous figure 8 motion when you are done! Share your flags with us by tagging the 500 Festival on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and use #500EdProg.
Join Us for the virtual princess program reception!
Meet the 2020 class of the 500 Festival Princess Program!
month of may bingo
Join us for a game of Social Media Bingo – Month of May Edition! Here’s how it works:
- Save a picture of the Month of May Bingo board to your photos on your phone. You can either save the photo below or take a screenshot of the board on our Instagram highlights.
- Post the unmarked Bingo board to your Instagram Story and/or Facebook Story by going to your Stories interface and tapping on your Camera Roll (the board should be the first photo you see).
- Use the Stories drawing tools to mark which activities you’ve done. You can be creative with how you want to mark up your board, whether you choose to use circles, checkmarks, or even race car emojis.
- Tag 3 friends to join the Bingo challenge and tag @500Festival so we can share your Bingo board!
- Post your Bingo board to your stories. Make sure you also post an unmarked Month of May Bingo board to your Story so your friends can easily screenshot the board for their answers.
We can’t wait to see those Bingo cards!
learn about the many traditions of may
The 500 Festival and Indy 500 are engrained with annual traditions that lead up to race day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This 500 Festival Education Program video gives you a front-row seat and the inside scoop behind the rich traditions of May!
Experience the Indy Mini Course
We can’t run this course together at this year’s OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, but you can still experience from home! Check out the video below!
Cheer on the virtual #IndyMini participants
Thousand of people from all 50 U.S. states, 15+ different countries and even a submarine (USS Indiana) are completing their virtual OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon & Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K. You can cheer them on using your social media. Use #IndyMini in your post for a chance to be featured below and on our accounts.