There is a decent chance the weather will not fully cooperate this weekend, but that doesn’t mean your holiday weekend won’t be fantastic. With Indy 500 events picking up speed the city is bound to showcase the best its culture has to offer.
Following are some suggestions for how to enjoy it all efficiently.
Support local veterans
Aside from the main event, it’s safe to say the weekend is packed with moments that can last a lifetime. The 500 Festival Memorial Service is aimed to rightfully honor fallen soldiers. This service will include “the joint service color guard presentation of colors and performances by the Capital City Chorus and the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band,” according to Visit Indy. In addition, a wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts will take place while the names of service members who have fallen in the past year are read aloud. For those who cannot attend the service, the event will be broadcast live on TV and radio. Please check your local listings for more information.
Music to soothe the soul
The Jazz Kitchen on College Ave. will feature The Funk Quarter with a big party on Friday night. With the promise of dancing, new and familiar music, there will be more than enough for everyone to keep happy. The fun will be contagious as the band will perform songs from Sly Stone, Trombone Shorty and Tower of Power.
For more information, visit thejazzkitchen.com.
Hip Hip Parade
Celebrities, costumed characters, marching bands, patriotic units, specialty units, spectacular floats and giant helium balloons will fill the streets to celebrate the Indianapolis 500 during the 500 Festival Parade.
More than 300,000 spectators are projected to line the streets of Indianapolis, joined by another one million watching from their televisions across and around the country, to view one of the nation’s premier parades, alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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.
For more information, visit 500festival.com.
Kids need some fun too!
Race fans, car enthusiasts and technology aficionados alike will appreciate The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ special events catered to the history of the Indy 500 which will feature 100 years of the fastest cars the world has to offer. But not only is racing the big catch at the museum, there are also cultural events ranging from Civil Rights reenactments to Chinese art showcases sure to captivate any age group.
Ruby Bridges, a first-grader who entered a newly-desegregated New Orleans school in 1960, will be featured in a live theatrical performance on select afternoons and a Chinese artist-in-residence will share the culture’s calligraphy, paintings, music, modern and ancient art. Visit the museum’s calendar of events to learn more.
Summer baseball in action
On Memorial Day, the Indianapolis Indians will host the Rochester Red Wings in a game that will directly affect the International League Wild Card standings. Starting pitching for the Indians will be the key feature as Chad Kuhl, Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow and Wilfredo Boscan boast ERA’s under 3.00. The game starts at 6:05 p.m. under the Victory Field lights and it will definitely be a treat as nothing says a summer holiday like baseball under the stars.
For more information, visit Twitter.com/IndyIndians.
