500 Festival Parade

2013 IPL 500 Festival Parade

Updated: Saturday, 25 May 2013, 4:07 PM EDT
Published : Saturday, 25 May 2013, 11:15 AM EDT

• Daniel Miller

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - More than 300,000 people packed the streets of downtown Indianapolis Saturday afternoon for the IPL 500 Festival Parade.

Just before things got started, the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders kicked off the festivities. They were joined by Nashville Recording Artist Tate Stevens who entertained the crowd with his hit single, "Hollar If Your With Me."

PHOTOS | 500 Festival Parade

For 56 years, the IPL 500 Festival Parade has captured the sights and sounds of the month of May.

From the floats, to the bands, to the drivers and celebrities, this year was a little different.

Instead of the parade grand marshal being one person, it was a team: The World-Champion Indiana Fever.

"Listen to the crowd go crazy...They have so many fans," said 24-Hour News 8 Reporter/anchor Karen Hensel.

This year's parade brought out some special moments.

Fan Favorite Jim Nebors returned after missing last years parade and 500 race due to health problems.

In the parade for the first time was Rookie Driver Conor Daly. It marked a special moment for WISH-TV's Racing Analyst and parade host Derek Daly.

"It's a great day for Conor as a rookie; he grew up in Noblesville. He grew up locally here. He has great support," Daly said.

This was also a time for the bands to shine.

For The Henryville Golden Band, the moment was special.

Nearly one year after a tornado destroyed their high school, members of the band performed in front of the crowd to a standing ovation.

"You can plan for things in racing, you can never plan for what a tornado may do to a community," Daly said.

This year's 500 Festival parade float winner was announced Friday afternoon.

Eli Lilly's float won best overall entry. The name of the float is "Reconnecting to our Waterways."

Watch the parade on WISH TV at 8 p.m. Saturday night.