Registration is now open for the 2012 500 Festival Princess Program. The application is available and may be submitted online via the 500 Festival’s website: www.500festival.com, now through Jan. 6, 2012.
The 2012 Princesses will serve as ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 2012 Indianapolis 500 and their hometowns. The princesses will attend and volunteer at 500 Festival events throughout the month of May. In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs, including visits to hospitals, schools, nursing homes and media outlets, among others leading up to the month of May.
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 2012 Indianapolis 500 on May 27.
The 500 Festival will interview applicants from across the state on Jan. 28, narrowing the selection to 66 women. The judges will then conduct second-round interviews on Feb. 11, 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 Jan. 1, 2012, but be no older than 23 years of age by May 31, 2012.
In addition to the online application process, completed applications may be downloaded and mailed to: 500 Festival Princess Program, attn: Colleen Bartel, 21 Virginia Ave., 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. 6 deadline.
