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ISF · 5/18/11, 12:15 AM

The 500 Festival Parade on Saturday afternoon before the 500 is a neat deal. We have gone to two of them and it's a fun experience. We may not go again for a while but it would be worth seeing at least once.

On Fri. 2-8 pm and Sat. 9:30 am-5 pm the two days before the 500 there is the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion which I think is located off of turn 4 of the mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. That's one of the premier racing memorabilia shows in the country and there are always former drivers synonymous with the Indy 500 signing autographs there. There are some neat things to see and buy if you're into that stuff.

Being a first timer, be sure to get to your seats early. At least an hour and preferably 90 minutes prior to the command to fire engines. The pre-race ceremonies are a show unto themselves that shouldn't be missed.

Also, if you want a decent meal and a beer or two in a racing atmosphere you might check out McGilvery's on High School Road several blocks North of Crawfordsville Road. Decent food with a racing theme.

As far as parking is concerned it depends a lot on where your seats are located. If you're setting in the South end of the racetrack (turns 1 & 2) or the main straightaway you might look at parking in someones yard in the neighborhood off of turn 1 or just West of the track on Auburn St., Fisher St. or Winton St. which run North & South or 20th or 21st which run East & West. If you're setting in the North end (turns 3 & 4) you have the Coke lot parking or again, someones yard on 24th St., Allison, McRay or North Auburn and again, get there early. Most of the people who live near the track will sell a parking spot in their yard. You have to get to the immediate area around the racetrack very early on race morning to find a spot on the street within walking distance of the track but the yard parking is normally available right up until race time. I don't know much about the East side of the track but I don't think the yard parking is as prevalent over there. I do know if your setting in turn 3 and you park in the Coke lot or in that general vicinity it's still a pretty good hike to you seats so allow adequate time.

5/18/11, 12:15 AM	#3 Re: Help for an Indy 500 rookie
ISF Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,091	The 500 Festival Parade on Saturday afternoon before the 500 is a neat deal. We have gone to two of them and it's a fun experience. We may not go again for a while but it would be worth seeing at least once. On Fri. 2-8 pm and Sat. 9:30 am-5 pm the two days before the 500 there is the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion which I think is located off of turn 4 of the mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. That's one of the premier racing memorabilia shows in the country and there are always former drivers synonymous with the Indy 500 signing autographs there. There are some neat things to see and buy if you're into that stuff. Being a first timer, be sure to get to your seats early. At least an hour and preferably 90 minutes prior to the command to fire engines. The pre-race ceremonies are a show unto themselves that shouldn't be missed. Also, if you want a decent meal and a beer or two in a racing atmosphere you might check out McGilvery's on High School Road several blocks North of Crawfordsville Road. Decent food with a racing theme. As far as parking is concerned it depends a lot on where your seats are located. If you're setting in the South end of the racetrack (turns 1 & 2) or the main straightaway you might look at parking in someones yard in the neighborhood off of turn 1 or just West of the track on Auburn St., Fisher St. or Winton St. which run North & South or 20th or 21st which run East & West. If you're setting in the North end (turns 3 & 4) you have the Coke lot parking or again, someones yard on 24th St., Allison, McRay or North Auburn and again, get there early. Most of the people who live near the track will sell a parking spot in their yard. You have to get to the immediate area around the racetrack very early on race morning to find a spot on the street within walking distance of the track but the yard parking is normally available right up until race time. I don't know much about the East side of the track but I don't think the yard parking is as prevalent over there. I do know if your setting in turn 3 and you park in the Coke lot or in that general vicinity it's still a pretty good hike to you seats so allow adequate time. __________________ Silver Crown Championship Dirt Cars properly driven on a one mile dirt track are classic poetry in motion. Using that analogy, Jack Hewitt is one of the greatest poets of all time. _________________________________________________ Last edited by ISF; 5/20/11 at 10:08 AM.