How Indianapolis Prepares for the Indy 500
All Sports Talk,  Racing

3 Ways on How Indianapolis Prepares for the Indy 500

How Indianapolis Prepares for the Indy 500

For racing fans, the Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, is one of the biggest events of the year.  The event, which takes place annually over Memorial Day weekend, draws crowds of approximately 300,000 people and is considered one of the biggest events in Indianapolis.  As you could probably imagine, Indianapolis racing fans take the Indy 500 very seriously, and preparing for the event can be an event.  After seeing how much fun the Indy 500 is, you may find yourself searching for homes for sale in Indianapolis!  Here are a few ways the city of Indianapolis and its people prepare for the Indy 500.

The Indy 500 Festival Parade

For fans of the Indy 500, tradition is everything.  Over the course of the days leading up to the big race, fans take part in several traditions, including the Indy 500 Festival parade.  This parade is a huge part of the race festivities and typically involve celebrity appearances, as well as appearances by the 33 starting drivers of the Indy 500.  The parade is an opportunity for fans to celebrate and get hyped up about the race and has been a staple of the Indy 500 for years.

Drinking of the Milk

Perhaps one of the most unique Indy 500 traditions is the drinking of the milk.  This tradition originated when three-time Indy 500 winner Louis Meyer requested a glass of buttermilk after winning the 1936 race.  An executive from the Milk Foundation happened to see a photo of Meyer drinking the milk in the newspaper and liked the idea so much that it became an annual tradition ever since.

Balloons Before the Start

One of the most jubilant traditions of the Indy 500 is the release of multi-colored balloons on the morning of the race.  Back in 1947, Tony Hulman’s mother, Grace, suggested that balloons be released on race day morning.  Since then, the release of the multi-colored balloons has been an important annual tradition and are released to the final notes of the song “(Back Home Again in) Indiana.”

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