Indianapolis Power & Light Company Extends Title Sponsorship Through 2018

INDIANAPOLIS (March 28, 2017) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the legacy of the Indianapolis 500, today announces that Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) has renewed its sponsorship of the 500 Festival Parade. The 2017 IPL 500 Festival Parade marks the 61^st Parade. It will be held on Saturday, May 27 in downtown Indianapolis. IPL has been a float sponsor for the event since its inception in 1957.

The only 500 Festival event that has taken place each year since the 500 Festival’s founding, IPL has been a key partnership of the 500 Festival throughout the organization’s history. This year’s Parade theme is unique to 2017; Accelerating the American Spirit.

“Few events embody the spirit and pride found in those who live here in Central Indiana quite like the IPL 500 Festival Parade, and I’m proud to say we have been part of the tradition since the very beginning,” said Rafael Sanchez, IPL President & CEO. “This is an iconic event that powers the excitement and momentum of the Indianapolis 500, and through our continued partnership with the 500 Festival we are honored to Accelerate the American Spirit here in Central Indiana for more years to come.

THEME: In 2017, we turn the corner on last year’s celebration that highlighted many milestones, including the 40^th OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the 60^th IPL 500 Festival Parade and the 100^th running of the Indianapolis 500. It was a great year, but no one is waving the checkered flag just yet. With many laps still to go, May 2017 is a chance to refuel and punch the gas. And with this year’s celebration covered in star-spangled spirit, it’s sure to be an inspiring salute to America on Memorial Day Weekend. The 500 Festival’s 2017 theme, Accelerating the American Spirit, gives Hoosiers the green light to ignite that red, white and blue passion.

“The IPL 500 Festival Parade is our grand show in May,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We have numerous events and programs throughout the month that enrich lives and the Parade lends us a stage to showcase the diversity, culture, and amazing people of Indiana who make this state special. We’re excited and grateful that IPL will continue to be part of this great tradition.”

Over 300,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Indianapolis, joined by another one million television viewers around the country. One of the nation’s premier parades, the IPL 500 Festival Parade is third in size only to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Spectators can witness the pageantry and larger-than-life floats as they light up the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Well-known celebrities, costumed characters, marching bands, patriotic units, specialty units and giant helium balloons will fill the streets to celebrate the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500.

The tradition continues with the 33 starting drivers of the Indianapolis 500 serving as honorary grand marshals the day before the race, riding in the traditional rows of three, with the winner of the pole position bringing up the rear.

The Parade is locally televised on WTHR, Channel 13, and nationally on NBC Sports Network.

For more information about the IPL 500 Festival Parade, please visit www.500festival.com/parade.

For more information about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com.

For more information about IPL, please visit www.iplpower.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 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, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

About Indianapolis Power & Light Company:

Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), an AES Company, provides retail electric service to more than 490,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. For more information about the company, please visit www.IPLpower.com or connect with us at www.twitter.com/IPLpower, www.facebook.com/IPLpower or www.linkedin.com/company/IPLpower.

###