INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2008) – The 500 Festival announced today the Trojan Marching Band from Downers Grove, Illinois, will take part in the 2008 IPL 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 24. The Parade, now a 51 year tradition, attracts more than 300,000 spectators along the two-mile route. During this celebration spectators will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the 33 starting drivers of the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, specialty units, nationally-known celebrities including Grand Marshall Patricia Heaton, spectacular floats, marching bands and entertainment groups, giant inflatable balloons and costumed characters.
The Trojan Marching Band has performed regularly in the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Downers Grove, IL and Independence Day Parades in Darien and Downers Grove. The band has also performed in the Chicago Jingle Elf Holiday Parade and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
The band will also perform on race day on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track as part of the Annual Pre-Race Pageant of Bands.
The IPL 500 Festival Parade provides an opportunity to see all 33 drivers set to start the Indy 500 in one place the day before the race. The Parade has grown to be one of the signature events in the U.S. each year. It consistently ranks among the top three parades in the nation including the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Themed “Fuel the Dream,” this year’s parade is a true representation of the power and pageantry of the month of May - a Hoosier tradition with a television package that will bolster the Parade’s national presence. The IPL 500 Festival Parade will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Be sure to look for the band on the ESPN2 telecast starting at 4PM local time on the 24th!
