Newsroom

The hub for news related to all 500 Festival events & programs

Welcome to the 500 Festival newsroom – your hub for news related to all 500 Festival events and programs. The newsroom will provide you with media resources including press releases, downloadable photos, and videos, and how to request media credentials. Logos for the 500 Festival are available upon request.

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Press Releases    500 Festival Blogs    Photos & Video

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Media Contact

Lindsay Labas, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
317.614.6141 | llabas@500festival.com

 

Media Credentials

There’s nothing quite like the Month of May in Indianapolis! We hope can join us at our events and programs.

Request Media Credentials

Requests may be submitted all at once or at least 2 weeks prior to each event listed.

Credential Guidelines

  1. A media credential does not mean “all access.” Pay close attention to your credential and the instructions provided with them.
  2. Due to existing contractual agreements, there are restrictions on live broadcasts of some 500 Festival events.
  3. Photos may not be sold or used for advertorial purposes.
  4. Media credentials do not permit access on the running course or into athlete start and finish areas.
  5. Credential pick-up, event schedules, and further details will be sent out at least one week before each event. You are responsible for picking up your credential(s) at the 500 Festival Office Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  6. The 500 Festival holds the right to approve, deny or revoke any and all assigned credentials.
  7. Credentials are assigned per person, and should not be transferred to another media member or non-media persons, or they will be revoked.
  8. Freelance journalists may be asked to submit a printed copy or tape of their most recent coverage.
  9. Media must wear their credentials and carry valid photo identification when covering 500 Festival events.
  10. By requesting a media credential, you agree to all terms and conditions set forth.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Any requests to cover events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Snake Pit, Indy 500, qualifications, Carb Day, etc.) must be submitted to IMS directly, HERE. The 500 Festival does not handle their requests.

Press Releases

May 25, 2022

500 Festival Announces 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade Float Honors

INDIANAPOLIS – The 500 Festival today announces the float award winners for the 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade. Floats were judged on several different criteria and were evaluated by a panel of judges. The floats are honored for recognition and tradition as no monetary prizes are awarded. This annual and fun competition brings prestige to …

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May 21, 2022

Melissa Aceves Announced as the 2022 Marlyne Sexton 500 Festival Queen Scholar  

The 500 Festival today announces that Melissa Aceves of Columbus, IN, has been named the 2022 Marlyne Sexton 500 Festival Queen Scholar. The announcement was made at the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc., held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Aceves is a 2022 graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and earned a degree in community health. She was …

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May 19, 2022

14 Marching Bands Selected to Perform in the 66th Annual AES 500 Festival Parade Alongside VIP Guests  

The 500 Festival, has selected 14 marching bands from across the U.S. to perform in the 66th annual AES 500 Festival Parade, on Saturday, May 28 in downtown Indianapolis. Also appearing in the parade will be featured guests, VIPs, and the 33 starting INDYCAR drivers of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by …

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May 16, 2022

500 Festival and Omaze Offer the Chance to Win a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray    

Today the 500 Festival announces a renewed partnership with Omaze, the leading fundraising platform that offers the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes to support charities, and to offer individuals the chance to win a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Donations from the sweepstake support the 500 Festival Foundation, whose mission is to ensure relevance, reach, and …

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May 13, 2022

Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Jansen, U.S. Marine Corps to be Keynote Speaker of The American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service 

INDIANAPOLIS (May 12, 2022) – The 500 Festival today announces that Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Jansen will be the keynote speaker at the American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service. The Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 26 at 4 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis. The event is free and open …

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May 11, 2022

Tickets on Sale for the 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade & August A. Ebeling Selected as Grand Marshal

Race Weekend’s Biggest Celebration Returns to Downtown Indy  The 500 Festival today announces that tickets are now on sale to the public for the 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade. Parade tickets can be purchased online at 500festival.com/tickets. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events help support the organization’s free programming and events for Indiana youth …

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May 11, 2022

500 Festival Announces Two Grand-Prize Winners of the 2022 500 Festival Kickoff to May Coloring Contest, presented by STAR Bank 

Each grand-prize winner to receive a $500 scholarship, courtesy of STAR Bank and a free 1-year membership to the INDYCAR Nation Rookie Program, courtesy of INDYCAR  The 500 Festival today publicly announced two grand-prize winners of the 2022 500 Festival Kickoff to May Coloring Contest, presented by STAR Bank. The two grand-prize winners that have …

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May 7, 2022

James Ngandu and Mary Munanu win the 46th OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

INDIANAPOLIS (May 7, 2022) – Thousands of participants from 6 different countries and all 50 states crossed the finish line today at the 2022 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K. James Ngandu from Kenya won the men’s race with a time of 1:03:25, and Mary Munanu of Kenya, won the women’s …

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May 2, 2022

Former Colts Player Dallas Clark to Run Indy Mini as part of Effort to Raise $2,000,000 for Children’s Hospitals 

INDIANAPOLIS – Today the 500 Festival announces that Dallas Clark, former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, will be participating in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon as part of the Mini with a Meaning program to raise funds for two children’s hospitals.  Clark will be conquering the 13.1 miles as part of his preparation and …

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April 12, 2022

Six-Time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Winner, James Hinchcliffe, to Speak at the 2022 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.

The 500 Festival today announces that former INDYCAR driver and current INDYCAR analyst for NBC Sports, James Hinchcliffe will be the featured guest at the 2022 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The event will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 am at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.   Hinchcliffe …

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