Applications to Perform at the 2019 Indy Mini Now Open

INDIANAPOLIS (December 10, 2018) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces the opening of the application process for Course Entertainment at the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Groups will perform for a crowd of 40,000+ participants, volunteers and spectators along the 13.1-mile course on May 4, 2019.

Named one of “America’s Most Iconic Races” by Runners World, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half marathons (for the past 20 years) and annually attracts participants from all 50 states and 15+ countries around the world. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Running, the race starts and finishes in downtown Indianapolis and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. Musicians, dance groups, bands, and family-friendly entertainers of all genres are encouraged to apply. Selected entertainment acts will receive a wide variety of benefits, including exposure for your group and the opportunity to inspire thousands of participants.

“Every year, when that alarm clock goes off on the morning of the Mini-Marathon, we say ‘Why do we do this?’ Well, we do this because it's fun, it's exciting, and dancing is our way of participating in this great event,” said Kathy Rucker of Circle City Clog, a group that has participated for over 20 years. “Seeing the thousands of people coming towards you, who stop to dance along to the music, shake your hand or just say ‘thank you’ is so inspiring. After dancing for ninety minutes, we are tired, but satisfied that we have done our job.”

The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the 500 Festival’s largest fundraiser. Race registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programs and events. By getting 35,000 people moving, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and 500 Festival 5K have become two of Indiana’s largest health initiatives, helping Hoosiers get focused on their health and well-being. And the impact the entertainers have on the event is significant; Indy Mini participants cite course entertainment as one of the top reasons they return to the race year after year. From rock bands to cloggers to Indy’s best DJs, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon artists represent local and regional talent.

“Bands and entertainment along the course really made a difference for me throughout the race!" Alice R. OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participant

Benefits for 2019 Course Entertainers include:

• Exposure for your group
• Group name and booking information listed on indymini.com
• Recognition in a 500 Festival “Thank You” ad
• Group signage may be displayed at your performance location
• Group recognition listed in the 2019 Participant Guide
• Commemorative t-shirt
• Certificate of participation
• Tickets to an Indianapolis 500 Practice Day
• Social Media Contest – The winning group will be featured in a Facebook post on both the Mini-Marathon and 500 Festival page, as well as a blog post on IndyMini.com
• Award for top entertainment group

Applications for the 2019 Course Entertainment must be submitted by March 15, 2019. Exact performance locations will be distributed to groups in early April. Groups must be at their assigned location by 6:30 a.m. on race morning (May 4). All groups will finish performing by noon.

To learn more about or apply for the course entertainment experience for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, please click here.

The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Franciscan Health and Meijer. The Mini-Marathon will be broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. To register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, or to learn more, visit www.indymini.com or search #IndyMini on social media.

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and foster 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 Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

###

Media Contact:
Sabrina List
317.614-6141
slist@500festival.com