INDIANAPOLIS (November 28, 2016) -  The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events for Indiana and celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500, today announced RaeLynn’s Boutique as the “Official Apparel Provider” of the 2017 500 Festival Princess Program. Since 1958, the 500 Festival Princess Program has celebrated Indiana’s up-and-coming, college-aged leaders. The online application is available on the 500 Festival’s website and the deadline for online applications is Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.

RaeLynn’s Boutique is Indy’s largest prom and social occasion retailer. Located on the south side of Indianapolis since 2008, RaeLynn’s carries designs from Sherri Hill, Jovani, Faviana, Blush Prom, and more.

Each year, 33 of Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven young women are selected to serve as a 500 Festival Princess. Serving as a 500 Festival Princess provides young women with countless opportunities for leadership and professional development. 500 Festival Princesses will participate in the program’s personal and professional development initiative, which empowers participants to make a profound impact within their community and Indiana.

Each 500 Festival Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship, involvement with the 500 Festival’s statewide community outreach programs, volunteer opportunities at 500 Festival events and participation in various Indianapolis Motor Speedway functions, including the pre-race ceremonies and Victory Circle celebration for the Indianapolis 500. And now, each 500 Festival Princess will receive dresses and other apparel from RaeLynn’s as part of the Princess Program experience.

“Participating in the 500 Festival Princess Program was a life-changing experience,” said Caitlyn Foye, the 2016 500 Festival Queen and a junior at Butler University majoring in Biology. “From the networking opportunities to the leadership development program and the scholarship, the Princess Program has given me the tools necessary to make an impact within my community upon graduation.”

The online application is available HERE. To learn more about the 500 Festival Princess Program and its rules and regulations, please visit: https://www.500festival.com/princessprogram.

Additional support of the 500 Festival Princess Program is provided by: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Vera Bradley, The Sanctuary on Penn and the 500 Festival Foundation.

To learn more about 500 Festival’s events and programs, 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, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

About RaeLynn’s Boutique

RaeLynn’s Boutique opened its doors in November 2008 on the south side of Indianapolis. In 2013, they expanded the current location to become Indy’s largest prom and social occasion retailer with 18 fitting rooms and over 2000 dresses in stock. As Indy’s #1 retailer for prom, RaeLynn’s carries designs from Sherri Hill, Jovani, Faviana, Blush Prom, and more. RaeLynn’s has recently expanded its brand to become one of Indy's largest specialty clothing boutique's that provides women's ready-to-wear clothing for a wide age range. Since opening, RaeLynn’s has had the opportunity to work closely with the Miss Indiana USA organization, Project Runway star and top designer Johnathan Kayne, Toni and KJ from the Smiley Morning Show, and several local celebrities. They have been voted WRTV Channel 6 #1 Women’s Boutique in Indianapolis.