DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS

Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade

Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade

Festivities kick off at 11:45 am | Parade begins at noon
MAY 29, 2027

The Soundtrack to May for 70 Years

The Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade has celebrated the world’s largest single-day sporting event – the Indianapolis 500. Traditionally held on the day before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation’s largest, most-respected parades with a storied tradition of featuring the best bands in America. This spectacular show also includes larger-than-life floats, giant helium balloons, celebrities, and all 33 INDYCAR drivers competing in the Indy 500. The Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that band members will never forget!

Bands selected to participate in the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade will perform for the 200,000+ spectators that line the 1.3-mile route, which travels the streets of downtown Indianapolis. The 500 Festival Parade is broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13 (NBC affiliate), and live-streamed on WTHR’s TV Streaming App.

The Soundtrack to May for More Than 60 Years

The AES 500 Festival Parade has celebrated the world’s largest single-day sporting event – the Indianapolis 500. Traditionally held on the day before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the AES 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation’s largest, most-respected parades with a storied tradition of featuring the best bands in America. This spectacular show also includes larger-than-life floats, giant helium balloons, celebrities, and all 33 drivers competing in the Indy 500. The AES 500 Festival Parade is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that band members will never forget!

Bands selected to participate in the AES 500 Festival Parade will perform for the 200,000+ spectators that line the 2-mile route, which travels the streets of downtown Indianapolis. The AES 500 Festival Parade is broadcast nationally on Peacock and to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13 (NBC affiliate). The entire Parade is also live-streamed with no breakaways via WTHR’s Band Cam – so you’ll never miss a single performer or a moment of pageantry and fanfare.

Applications

The Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade showcases a diverse array of bands, ranging in size and style. Each application receives thorough consideration, whether from a high school marching band, a military band, a drum and bugle corps, or other marching music ensemble. We welcome bands of all types to apply and join us in celebrating the world’s largest single-day sporting event – the Indianapolis 500.

If you’re interested in participating in a future year, the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade is traditionally held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Explore the links below for each year’s application:

Helpful Resources

  • 38th Infantry Division Band, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, IN – Director Catherine Maloney
  • Berlin Bears Marching Band, Olentangy Berlin High School, Delaware, OH – Director Michael Reeves
  • Clark County High School Marching Band, Clark County High School, Kahoka, MO – Director Robert Dooley
  • Greenwood Marching Woodmen, Greenwood Community High School, Greenwood, IN – Director Luke Aylsworth
  • IPS All-City Marching Band, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indianapolis, IN – Director Josh Goodman
  • Marching Highlanders, Anderson High School, Anderson, IN – Director Richard Geisler
  • Marching Patriots, Jay County Jr. – Sr. High School, Portland, IN – Director Charles Roesch
  • NBA Indiana All-Star Band, National Band Association, Zionsville, IN – Director Mickey Stisher
  • Noblesville High School Marching Millers, Noblesville High School, Noblesville, IN – Director Eric Thornbury
  • Northwestern High School Tiger Pride Band, Northwestern High School, Kokomo, IN – Director Jeremy Snyder
  • Purdue “All-American” Marching Band, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN – Director Matt Conaway
  • Speedway High School 500 Regiment, Speedway High School, Speedway, IN – Director Delaney Ruble
  • Squadron of Sound, Adams Central Community Schools, Monroe, IN – Director Cory Kelley

Two bands have participated in every 500 Festival Parade that has taken place since its inception in 1957.

  • The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band serves as the Parade’s host band, assisting with band recruitment and Race Weekend details. Traditionally, the Purdue Band is the first band to appear in the 500 Festival Parade lineup.
  • The Speedway 500 Regiment Band, representing Speedway High School, they are the only band allowed to wear the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Wing & Wheel logo on their uniform. Traditionally, the Speedway 500 Regiment Band is the final band to appear in the 500 Festival Parade lineup.

Questions about marching band participation? Contact info@500festival.com