INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2015) – The anticipated celebrity and VIP lineup for this year’s Keybank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball continues to grow as the event nears. In addition to celebrity and VIP guests, the event, which will take place Saturday, May 23 at 6 pm at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, will feature entertainment from platinum-selling rock band, American Authors, as well as the immensely popular a capella group, Straight No Chaser. Those anticipated to attend the 2015 KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball include:

American Authors: Fresh off their tour with One Republic, American Authors is one of the music industry’s most buzzed about bands. Their hit single, “Best Day of My Life” has sold more than 2 million copies and dominated airwaves of alternative rock and top 40 radio stations in 2014.

Straight No Chaser: The popular a cappella group will make a repeat performance at the 2015 KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball on the eve of their Indianapolis 500 performance of ‘Back Home Again in Indiana.’ Originally formed over a dozen years ago while students at Indiana University, the group has become a phenomenon - with a massive fanbase, more than 20 million views on YouTube and numerous national TV appearances.

1955 Crispus Attucks Basketball Team: The Grand Marshals of the 2015 IPL 500 Festival Parade, the Crispus Attucks High School basketball team overcame countless obstacles and inequalities to win the 1955 Indiana state basketball tournament, becoming the nation’s first entirely black high school to win a championship. Fresh off their planned celebration on Monument Circle, the Parade’s first planned stop in the event’s 58-year history, the team members will walk the red carpet at the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball. Participating team members include: LeVern Benson, James Enoch, John Gipson, Bill Hampton, Albert Maxey, Willie Merriweather, Sheddrick Mitchell, Henry Robertson and Oscar Robertson.

Adam Carolla: Over the past 20 years as a television and radio personality, a New York Times best-selling author, the creator of the Carolla Digital network and host of the Guinness-World-Record-holding podcast The Adam Carolla Show, Carolla has shared his unique wit and dynamic brand of entertainment with the public. His wildly popular podcast, The Adam Carolla Podcast, receives more than five million downloads a month. 

John Green: A New York Times bestselling author, Green’s work includes, The Fault in our Stars and Paper Towns, both of which have been turned into motion pictures. In addition to his overwhelming success as an author, Green co-hosts a popular YouTube series, vlogbrothers, which has garnered more than 500 million video views.  

Andrew Luck: The quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, Luck has led the Colts to three playoff appearances including two division titles in 2013 and 2014, also earning a Pro Bowl selection in each season. Prior to joining the Colts, Luck was a star quarterback at Stanford University, and was drafted number one overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Nastia Liukin: In 2008, Liukin was instrumental to the U.S. women's team's success at the Olympic Games, leading the team to the silver medal in team competition. Individually, she won the coveted Olympic all-around gold medal, silver medals on both balance beam and uneven bars, and the bronze medal on the floor exercise. Liukin is currently competing on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Pat McAfee: The starting punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee is a Pro Bowl player who has also been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month as well as the Associated Press’ First Team All-Pro punter. Along with McAfee’s many accomplishments on the field, he also created The Pat McAfee Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing scholarship assistance to the sons and daughters of US military personnel.

Robert Mathis: An outside linebacker for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, Mathis is also the team’s career leader in sacks. Mathis is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and is a winner of The Ed Block Courage Award, an award voted on by NFL players, recognizing players who exemplify inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage.

Dwayne Allen: Tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, Allen made his NFL debut in 2012 after playing college football for Clemson University. An active member of the Indianapolis community, Allen has participated in the “COLTSTRONG, LIBRARYSTRONG” campaign for the Indianapolis Library, the Colts Playground Build, and has made visits to the Riley Hospital for Children.  

Gary Brackett: Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett played for the team for nine seasons. During his career he was named defensive captain of the Colts and was the recipient of the Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award for his work with the IMPACT Foundation. After retiring from the Colts, Brackett became the owner of the Stacked Pickle and opened his own restaurant, Georgia Reese’s, in Indianapolis.

Alan Henderson: A former NBA player, Alan Henderson played four years at Indiana University, where he is among the school’s top scorers, rebounders and shot-blockers. Today, Henderson, who is a Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School alum, is active within the community.

For the first time in over a decade, a select number of tickets are available for the 2015 KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball will be held Saturday, May 23 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Tickets cost $275 per person and may be requested by completing this online form, or by calling 317.927.3378.

The KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball is sponsored by KeyBank, The Westin Indianapolis, Business Furniture and BCforward. The KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball’s red carpet arrival will be broadcast live on WISH-TV.

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 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 $350 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

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Media Contact:

Sabrina List

317.614-6141

slist@500festival.com