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5/23/2009
The
more than 300,000 spectators who were estimated to have
lined the two-mile parade route had a glimpse of many
celebrities, Grand Marshal Dick Vitale, the 33 starting
drivers of the 2009 Indianapolis 500 ®, more than
80 specialty units, floats, marching bands and entertainment
groups, giant inflatable balloons and costumed characters
including SpongeBob SquarePants, Pablo and Tyrone from
“The Backyardigans” and Dorothy the Dinosaur
and Wags the Dog from “The Wiggles.”
The
weather for this year's Parade could not have been better!
The
IPL 500 Festival 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
“Laps, Legends & Legacy: Honoring the 100th
Anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway®”
this year’s parade was a true representation of
the power and pageantry of the month of May - a Hoosier
tradition for 52 years with a television package that
bolstered the Parade’s national presence.
The
mission of the 500 Festival is to produce events and
programs that celebrate the success of the Indianapolis
500 Mile Race and enhance the quality of life for the
citizens of Indiana and their guests. These events and
programs, produced largely by volunteers, enhance the
image of our city and state by showcasing our cultural,
educational, and social benefits to the world.
Thirty
Five Corvette Festival cars joined the 2010 Camaro Pace
Car and a Camaro Coupe Track car in the Parade and carried
the starting drivers, several dignitaries, and their
guests.
The
Circle City Corvette club also had a large contingent
of Corvettes in the parade (pictured below)!
This
year's Pace Car Driver is Josh Duhamel, a Daytime Emmy
Award-winning actor and fashion model who has starred
on ABC’s “All My Children” and NBC’s
“Las Vegas.” Duhamel made his big-screen acting
debut in 2004, starring in, “Win a Date with Tad
Hamilton!” Duhamel has also appeared as Captain
William Lennox in “Transformers,” and will
reprise the role in the upcoming sequel “Transformers:
Revenge of the Fallen.”
Above:
Monument Circle
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