Today, eight of the 11 floats scheduled to appear in the 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade tomorrow were judged on the following criteria: Interpretation of theme, animation, humor, attention to detail, balance and symmetry, use of color, creativity of design, excitement generated from float presentation, eye appeal to audience, originality, floral design and overall beauty. The floats are honored on a mere recognition factor only and no monetary prizes are awarded; however, the annual “competition” brings prestige to the IPL 500 Festival Parade, the float designers and sponsors.

The 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade float honors go to the following:

SWEEPSTAKES TROPHY: Best Overall Entry

Float: “Anthem Angels – Salute to America”

Sponsor: Anthem

Description: Anthem is proud to salute all those who protect and defend our country and especially recognize the many Hoosiers who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

QUEEN’S AWARD: Most Effective Use of Color Harmony

Float: “Racing with a Dragon Boat Rhythm”

Sponsor:  Confucius Institute in Indianapolis

Description: The Confucius Institute’s “Racing with a Dragon Boat Rhythm” features a massive smoke-breathing dragon which was inspired by the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional holiday in China. The Confucius Institute of Indianapolis aims to promote Chinese language and culture.

THEME AWARD: Best Development of 500 Festival Theme “Feel the Rhythm of May”

Float:  “Driving History”

Sponsor: Firestone

Description: Firestone has been the company behind the technology that has driven racing for more than 100 years.  From the first Indy 500 in 1911 to today, Firestone knows the way to Victory Lane! 

PRESIDENTS AWARD: Most Original Concept

Float: “A Current of Community” 

Sponsor: Indianapolis Power & Light Company

Description: Indianapolis Power & Light Company provides the current that keeps Indianapolis celebrating!  IPL has sponsored a float in every 500 Festival Parade since its inception in 1957, and has been the title sponsor of the Parade for the past ten years.  This year’s float captures the excitement and community celebration of race weekend in Indianapolis. 

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD: Best Display of Humor

Float: “Winning Indy”

Sponsor: American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc.

Description: Winner’s drink milk! The American Dairy Association of Indiana’s float celebrates the time-honored tradition with a larger-than-life milk bottle and racing cow that has experienced the taste of victory!

CHECKERED FLAG AWARD: For Exceptional Merit

Float:  “Lilly Can DO!”

Sponsor: Eli Lilly

Description: The 2014 Lilly float celebrates Indy Do Day, a people-powered community day of service where committed residents and organizations partner to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. 

Judges for the 2014 float included:

David Stanton is the Creative Director at Williams Randall Marketing working in their downtown Indianapolis office. He’s a life-long Hoosier with more than 20 years working in the Indy ad community. David holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana State University. His portfolio includes work for Indiana Tourism, King Arthur Flour, IPL, Simon, Hoosier Lottery, IndyCar Series, Mike’s Carwash and the 500 Festival. In his free time he keeps busy with his three sons and last year completed an 80-mile backpacking hike on the Philmont Ranch in northern New Mexico.

Eric Martin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Music for All, Inc., one of the nation’s leading advocates for the arts and producer of events for scholastic bands and orchestras. Prior to joining MFA, Eric was president of ELM Productions, an Atlanta based special events production company.  His annual and "once in a lifetime" production credits, include the organization and production of the 5,000 voice Paralympics Gospel Choir that opened the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics Games, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Parade and many others!

Doug Green, Vice President of Bowl Games of America and Skys the Limit Productions located in Salt Lake City, Utah. For twenty five years now Doug has produced over 300 major college bowl game pregame and halftime shows and worked on hundreds of other major events including Presidential Campaigns, many MLB All Star Games and World Series, and the Men’s and Women’s Final Four.  Doug has also been a key partner in producing the IPL 500 Festival Parade opening the past eight years and much of the patriotic pageantry you see at the 500 race and Colts games.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the two-mile parade route to see the 33 starting drivers of the 2014 Indianapolis 500^®, more than 70 specialty units, floats, marching bands and giant inflatable balloons. This year’s parade is a true representation of the power and pageantry of the month of May with a television package that will bolster the Parade’s national presence, airing on May 24 at 5 p.m. on NBC Sports Network and 8 p.m. locally on WISH-TV. Tickets to the IPL 500 Festival Parade are available at the 500 Festival Ticket Office today until 7 p.m. On Parade day, tickets will be available from roving ticket sellers at the Washington and Meridian Streets and 9^th and Meridian Streets.  Roving ticket sellers will only be cash only.  Tickets can also be purchased from the ticket tents on Michigan and Meridian Streets by cash or credit card. Reserved bleacher seats are $14.50 and reserved chair seats are $19. For more information, visit www.500festival.com. 

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 57 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500^® and fostering positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana.