Spring/Summer 2011

The Indianapolis 500 — known as the “greatest spectacle in racing” — will be an even bigger spectacle this year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The race is Sunday, May 29, and the weekend will be full of family activities.

“Clearly the race is the icing on the cake for the weekend,” says Doug Boles, director of public relations. “But starting on Saturday, we have a couple of things that would be entertaining for kids.”

On Saturday morning, families can tour the infield and garage areas, which are normally closed to the public. At noon, more than 300,000 spectators will line the streets for the 500 Festival Parade, where you’ll see marching bands, floats, giant helium balloons and a convoy of Indy 500 drivers. Afterward, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, which is displaying 70 of the 96 winning Indy 500 cars.

On race day, the world’s largest one-day sporting event, the track opens at 6 a.m. The annual Spectacle of Bands at 8 a.m. kicks off a morning of pageantry, which concludes around 1 p.m. with the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana,” a massive balloon launch and the famous announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.”

Reserved seats are $45 to $150, but adult general-admission tickets are just $30 and are also valid for accompanying children. If you have a general-admission ticket, head to the lawn inside the racetrack, where you can spread out a picnic and toss a Frisbee. Bring a portable radio to listen to the race broadcast, or — for a behind-the-scenes perspective — tune in to the frequency used by your favorite driver and pit crew.

- State - Indiana

- Type - Family Vacations

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