COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
INDIANAPOLIS 500
Indianapolis 500 Community Engagement puts fans first and allows them to show their passion and spirit for the Indy 500, one of the biggest traditions that makes Indianapolis Motor Speedway the place Where Tradition Never Stops. IMS and the greater Indianapolis community have come together to offer many ways for you to be a part of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing!”
WELCOME RACE FANS
In the month of May, Indianapolis is unmistakably preoccupied with black and white checkered flags, car culture imagery, and of course the ubiquitous Welcome Race Fans banners that boldly blanket the city everywhere from your neighbor’s front porch and the local cafe to the most upscale restaurants and hotels. Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Arts Council are proud to partner for the 2025 Welcome Race Fans program. The five artists who will create this year’s welcoming artwork are Sarah Anderson, xaviergray, Caroline Hays, Cassie Mitchell, and Frances Ruiz.
WELCOMING DÉCOR
The Indy 500 Downtown Décor Invasion is a collaboration with the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Visit Indy to ensure the characteristic hospitality of Indianapolis is obvious for visitors during the Month of May. Beautiful signage will greet race fans at the Indianapolis International Airport, and at downtown Indianapolis locations such as the JW Marriott, the Arts Garden, Simon Malls, Harry and Izzy’s and more. Plus, we work with the City of Indianapolis to rename downtown Indianapolis streets after the star athletes of the Indianapolis 500! Make sure you grab your photo with your favorite signage and post it on social media for everyone to see by tagging @IMS.
500 FESTIVAL KICK-OFF TO MAY
The 500 Festival Kickoff to May, presented by STAR Bank, literally kicks off the greatest month in Indiana and starts the countdown to the Indy 500. Held at Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, the event is packed full of festivities! Join us as we welcome the spirit of May with members of the community, the 500 Festival Board of Directors, the 500 Festival Princesses, race fans, and maybe even a few surprise guests
INDY 500 FAN FESTS
As the calendar rolls to spring, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is hitting the road to bring the excitement of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge to fans with free IMS Fan Fests throughout the state, including Indianapolis, Bloomington, Fort Wayne and Evansville. All IMS Fan Fests are free and open to the public. Age restrictions may apply based on the location of the event.
PORCH PARTIES
Porch Parties are an annual tradition that bring neighbors and race fans together in celebration of the Indianapolis 500. Race fans are encouraged to demonstrate what “This is May” means to them by hosting racing-themed gatherings and outfitting their gathering spaces in the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 through checkered flags, odes to Indy 500 traditions and Indianapolis Motor Speedway icons.
#500FASHION
The best way to show off your racing spirit is by wearing it! Central Indiana residents are encouraged to incorporate racing and the “500” into their attire on the four Fridays of May, called #500Fashion Fridays: May 2, May 9, May 16 and May 23. Shop your favorite look at shop.ims.com and use #500Fashion to show off your race fashion.
BIKE TO THE 500
Tired of waiting in traffic to get to the race? Want to have a fun time with family and friends? Want to discover an alternative way to commute to the track on Race Day? Say no more! We’ve got you covered with Bike to the 500 presented by Bike Indianapolis and CIBA, a route that gets you straight to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge without the hassle of traffic.
NATURALIZATION CEREMONY
The opening day for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 will kick off with a naturalization ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In honor of the Indy 500 starting field, 33 individuals from around the world will be inducted as United States citizens at the Racing Capital of the World on Tuesday, May 13. Their first event as U.S. citizens will be the first Indianapolis 500 practice of the year that afternoon.
HANDLEBAR HOT LAPS
Grab your colleagues and get them revved up for the Handlebar Hot Lap. Every year, we rev up excitement for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge by bringing local businesses and race fans together in a 32-team tournament-style Handlebar race with the ultimate bragging rights on the line. Register now for this year’s Handlebar Hot Laps taking place on Tuesday, May 20.
COMMUNITY DAY
Indianapolis 500 Community Day was created to teach students in kindergarten through 8th grade about the importance of nutrition, well-being, and physical fitness, and to offer a real-world perspective into the motorsports industry. Each year, we focus on bringing together drivers who entered the Indianapolis 500 and children in local Indianapolis schools.
AES 500 FESTIVAL PARADE
The AES 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation’s largest and most respected parades, earning national acclaim alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over 200,000 people will line the city to experience larger-than-life floats, giant helium balloons, celebrities and dignitaries, award-winning bands and all 33 drivers competing in the Indianapolis 500. Join us on Saturday, May 24 in downtown Indianapolis to celebrate the race weekend!
INDY 500 MILK BOTTLES
Milk bottles will be presented to celebrities, community leaders, partners and fans in the lead-up to the green flag for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
500 BIGS by the Indy 500
From March 19 through May 25, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana are looking for 500 potential mentors to be matched with the 1,200+ young people in our community looking for a Big.