Application Deadline Approaching for 2014 500 Festival Princess Program
Registration ends on January 3, 2014

 INDIANAPOLIS (December 18, 2013) – Registration for the 2014 500 Festival Princess Program ends soon. The application is available and may be submitted online via the 500 Festival’s website, www.500festival.com, now through Friday, January 3, 2014.

Becoming a 500 Festival Princess is an experience of a lifetime.  The 2014 Princesses will serve as ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 2014 Indianapolis 500^® and their hometowns.  The princesses will represent and participate at 500 Festival events and programs throughout the month of May.  In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs by organizing and facilitating numerous volunteer opportunities.  The 33 Princesses also receive professional development training, including networking and public speaking/presentation opportunities.  

Princesses are also present at various Indianapolis Motor Speedway^® functions and participate in the Indianapolis 500^® Victory Circle celebration. One princess will be selected to serve as the 500 Festival Queen, and receive a $2,500 scholarship.  The Queen and Princesses will participate in the pre-race ceremonies for the 2014 Indianapolis 500^® on Sunday, May 25.

The 500 Festival will interview applicants from across the state of Indiana on Saturday, Jan. 25, narrowing the selection to 66 women. The judges will then conduct second-round interviews on Saturday, Feb. 8, selecting the final 33 to serve as ambassadors. 
 
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 23, single and legal residents of Indiana. Candidates must also be full-time students in a fully-accredited Indiana college or university and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must reach the age of 18 by January 1, 2014, but be no older than 23 years of age by May 31, 2014.

In addition to the online application process, completed applications may be downloaded and mailed to: 500 Festival Princess Program, Attn: Kelby Hicks, 21 Virginia Avenue, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204. For more information, visit www.500festival.com or call (317) 614-6131 for an application to be mailed. Applications will not be accepted after the Jan. 3 deadline.

G.Thrapp Jewelers, WTHR and The Sanctuary on Penn are proud sponsors of the 500 Festival Princess Program. Apparel and accessory providers include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway^® and Vera Bradley.

For additional details on the 500 Festival Princess Program rules and regulations, please click here.

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. 

###