A Fever legend, an American Idol and racers: What to know about the 500 Festival Parade

The 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade kicks off on Saturday.

The parade is expected to draw about 200,000 spectators along the 1.5-mile route in downtown Indianapolis to see floats, giant helium balloons, celebrities, bands and all 33 Indy 500 drivers.

This is the 68th year for the annual event, part of the 500 Festival.

Here’s what to know about the 500 Festival Parade:

What time the 500 Festival Parade begins

Festivities kick off at 11:45 am, and the parade begins at noon.

The 500 Festival Parade route

The parade starts at North and Pennsylvania streets, goes south on Pennsylvania Street, turns west onto Washington Street, then north onto Meridian Street, and ends near Meridian and North streets.

Find the route here.

The opening performer at the 500 Festival Parade

The opening production will be led by “American Idol” season 11 winner Phillip Phillips (“Home”).

He’ll be joined by the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders and the Indiana Pacemates, performing to his music.

The Grand Marshal for the 2024 500 Festival Parade

Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade.

The WNBA champion, who makes history as the parade’s first Black female Grand Marshal,  is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, a 10-time WNBA All-Star and a five-time league Defensive Player of the Year.

Catching retired after 16 seasons with the Fever and is the league’s No. 2 scorer and rebounder of all time.

Grand Marshal: Indiana Fever icon Tamika Catchings will lead 500 Festival Parade as Grand Marshal

Bands marching in the 500 Festival Parade

These 15 bands are marching in the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade:

• 38th Infantry Division Band, Indianapolis

• Grand Ledge Marching Band, Grand Ledge, Michigan

• Indianapolis Public Schools All-City Band, Indianapolis

• Marine Band San Diego, San Diego, California

• Mater Dei Marching Wildcats, Evansville

• National Band Association’s Indiana All-Star Band, Zionsville

• Pendleton Heights Marching Arabians, Pendleton

• Purdue University "All-American" Marching Band, West Lafayette

• Speedway High School 500 Regiment Band, Speedway

• Spirit of Muncie Central Band and Guard, Muncie

• The Pride of DeSoto Central Marching Band, Southaven, Mississippi

• The Pride of Westfield, Westfield

• The Sound of Brownsburg, Brownsburg

• Washington Golden Pride, Washington

• Western High School Marching Panthers, Russiaville

500 Festival Parade bands: Here's who is marching in 2024

Buying tickets for premium seating at the parade

While the parade is free to attend, prime viewing seating is available with $25-$45 tickets from tinyurl.com/yxyznhsn.

Where to park for the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade

Organizers suggest allowing for plenty of time to find parking, as many downtown streets will be closed to traffic and public parking. Also, due to street closings, not all routes ito various parking occasions will be available.

Plan to use a parking garage or lot.

The 500 Festival works with Gate Ten Events & Parking, located across from Lucas Oil Stadium and close to the parade. Shuttles will be available between the parking lot and  near the Indiana Convention Center.

Reserved spots are also available through the SpotHero app with a 50%-off offer through the 500 Festival SpotHero Parking Page.

How to watch the 500 Festival Parade on TV

The parade will be telecast to the Indianapolis market on  WTHR, Channel 13, and streamed nationally on Peacock.

For more information about the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade, visit 500festival.com/parade/.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 500 Festival Parade: What to know for 2024