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 Gainbridge.  

At the AES 500 Festival Parade, 14 nationally recognized bands will march the streets of downtown Indianapolis for one of the nation’s largest and most respected parades, consistently earning national acclaim alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The selected marching bands will perform for more than 200,000 spectators and help celebrate this year’s theme, Back to Traditions. Racing Forward. 

Band Lineup: 

• Anderson High School Marching Highlanders (Anderson, Ind.) 
• Bi-County Marching Band, (Marshall County, Starke County, Ind.) 
• Cincinnati Tradition Drum and Bugle Corps (Fairfield, Ohio) 
• Clark County High School Marching Indians (Kahoka, Mo.) 
• Indiana All-Star Marching Band, National Band Association (Zionsville, Ind.) 
• Indianapolis Public Schools All City Marching Band (Indianapolis, Ind.) 
• Jac-Cen-Del High School Band, Flag Corps, and Dance Team (Osgood, Ind.) 
• Lewis Cass Marching Kings, Lewis Cass High School (Walton, Ind.) 
• Marching Lancers, Belleville East High School (Belleville, Ill.) 
• Marching Braves, Maconaquah High School (Bunker Hill, Ind.) 
• Purdue "All-American” Marching Band, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.) 
• Speedway 500 Regiment, Speedway High School (Speedway, Ind.) 
• The Pride of Portage Marching Band, Portage High School (Portage, Ind.) 
• 38th Infantry Division Band, Indiana National Guard (Indianapolis, Ind.) 

“The 500 Festival is honored to host these talented bands as part of the 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade, bringing music and spirit to the streets of downtown Indianapolis,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We are also thrilled to have exciting VIP guests joining the community as we celebrate one of race weekend’s most beloved traditions.”  

The AES 500 Festival Parade will also present multiple featured guests and VIP appearances including actors, civic leaders, 500 Festival Board of Directors, Indianapolis Motor Speedway executives, athletes, and more.   

VIP Guests: 

• Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith – Indiana Fever  
• Lindsay Czarniak – American sports anchor  
• Drew Powell – Actor, Gotham (2014-2018) 
• Joe Hogsett – Honorable Mayor of Indianapolis  
• James Poore – Chair of the 500 Festival Board of Directors  
• Rob Pruitt – Immediate Past Chair of the 500 Festival Board of Directors  
• Kristina Lund and Kathy Storm – AES Indiana  
• Doug Boles – Indianapolis Motor Speedway  
• Sarah Fisher – American retired IndyCar driver (1999-2010)  
• General Daniel R. Hokanson – Chief of National Guard Bureau  
• General R. Dale Lyles – 59th Adjutant General of Indiana 
• Miss Indiana – Braxton Hiser 
• Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen – Kate Dimmett 
• Officer Patrick McPherson – IMPD Officer of the Year 
• Lieutenant Thomas Albrecht – IFD Firefighter of the Year 
• Corporal Joshua McCrammer – Marion County Sherriff Deputy of the Year 
• Tara and Jeff Homan Family – Authors 
• Boomer – Indiana Pacers Mascot 
• Freddy Fever – Indiana Fever Mascot 
• The World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales 

The 2022 AES 500 Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, May 28, with festivities starting at 11:45 a.m. ET in downtown Indianapolis, and the Parade starting at noon. 

AES 500 Festival Parade tickets can be purchased at 500festival.com/tickets or by calling (317) 614-6400. The AES 500 Festival Parade will be broadcast nationally on Peacock and to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. 

For more information about the AES 500 Festival Parade, please visit 500festival.com/parade or search #aes500Parade on social media.  

About the 500 Festival 

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and fostering a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. 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, please visit 500festival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   

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