Festival intends to move lineup of community events to August, complimenting new date for Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (April 8, 2020) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announced its revised calendar of events for 2020. The 500 Festival intends to produce an event lineup throughout August to reflect the newly announced date of the 104th Indianapolis 500.

The 500 Festival’s Intended Calendar of Events:

• 500 Festival Kickoff to May, presented by STAR Bank: Friday, August 7, 2020
• Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day and Rookie Run: Saturday, August 8, 2020
• 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. – Saturday, August 15, 2020
• 500 Festival Volunteer Appreciation Day – Saturday, August 15, 2020
• 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce – Friday, August 21, 2020
• 500 Festival Off the Grid, presented by KeyBank – Friday, August 21, 2020
• IPL 500 Festival Parade – Saturday, August 22, 2020

“We recognize the difficulty in scheduling public events during this ever-changing environment. At this time, we are putting together an intended schedule of events with the understanding that there is much to transpire between now and August. We will continue to follow the guidance and direction of health officials to ensure the appropriate environment for our participants, volunteers and staff,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We’re also working on new ways for everyone to experience our events and programs virtually and find new ways to relish in our cherished May traditions without compromising public health. This is a challenging time for everyone, but we’re all #INthistogether.”

The 500 Festival continues to work through relevant details for 2020 events taking place in the new timeframe. More event details, including schedules and programming, will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Tickets already purchased for the 500 Festival’s 2020 events (Parade, Breakfast at the Brickyard, and Off the Grid) will be valid on the rescheduled dates. However, should these new dates conflict with ticket buyers’ schedules, the 500 Festival will offer other options. Full details and ticketing options will be communicated to ticket buyers within the next week.

The 500 Festival will continue to monitor and make necessary adjustments to future COVID-19 regulations. We will work closely with local, state and federal officials as well as local health care experts, our partners at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, corporate partners and others to ensure a safe and healthy experience for spectators and participants. This includes the addition of enhanced measures that will be in place at rescheduled events as well as adjustments and precautions in anticipation of the expected heat and humidity in August. Any additional measures will be announced as they occur and shared on the 500 Festival’s websites and social media as soon as they are finalized.

Tickets remain on sale for the 500 Festival’s rescheduled 2020 events: the IPL 500 Festival Parade, the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc., and the 500 Festival Off the Grid, presented by KeyBank. 500 Festival event tickets can be purchased online at 500festival.com/tickets. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events help support the organization’s free programming for youth and college students. The 2020 schedule of events is subject to change. For more information about the 500 Festival and our 2020 programs and events, please visit www.500festival.com.

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 $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact: Sabrina List, 500 Festival
317.954.3203 | slist@500festival.com