Two stars from the Indiana Pacers will serve as grand marshals for the 500 Festival Parade. The event is set to take place in Indianapolis.
Key points
Two Pacers stars will be grand marshals
500 Festival Parade is on May 29, 2026
Event celebrates the Indianapolis 500
Parade takes place at Monument Circle
Mentioned in this story
Indianapolis
Indiana Pacers500 Festival Parade
Two Pacers stars will be 500 Festival Parade grand marshals
Tanya Cherry at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Murphy Chew, age 5 and Amos Huss, age 6, pose with some of the Festival 500 princesses, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
A row of Chevrolet pick up trucks line the street at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Corvette at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Q&A
Who are the grand marshals for the 500 Festival Parade?
The grand marshals for the 500 Festival Parade are two stars from the Indiana Pacers.
When is the 500 Festival Parade scheduled to take place?
The 500 Festival Parade is scheduled for May 29, 2026.
What is the significance of the 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis?
The 500 Festival Parade is a major event that kicks off the Indianapolis 500 festivities, celebrating the city's culture and community.
Where will the 500 Festival Parade be held?
The 500 Festival Parade will be held in downtown Indianapolis, specifically at Monument Circle.
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William Pickering will be going this year to his 49th consecutive Indy 500 race, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Daniel Rice Sr. at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Lorraine Burts poses with some mascots at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The door of one of the official vehicles at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The Firestone mascot directs the incoming fleet of Chevy pick up trucks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Sash of one of the 500 Festival princesses at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Isabella Villasenor, age 3, poses with a volunteer at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Amos Huss, age 6, was in town from California visiting family and came to the 500 festival to kick off May with his grandmother at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
William Pickering looks through a deck of autographed collector cards of IndyCar drivers at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Daniel Rice drives his homebuilt electric bike at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
An IndyCar on display at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
An IndyCar on display at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The Indy Ignite mascot Pepper holds one of the soapbox race cars competing, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Governor Mike Braun speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Governor Mike Braun speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
A Corvette at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Fred Aldred at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
An IndyCar at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
Tanya Cherry at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
1 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Tanya Cherry at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
1 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Tanya Cherry at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
2 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Murphy Chew, age 5 and Amos Huss, age 6, pose with some of the Festival 500 princesses, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
3 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
A row of Chevrolet pick up trucks line the street at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
4 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Corvette at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
5 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
William Pickering will be going this year to his 49th consecutive Indy 500 race, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
6 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
The 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
7 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Daniel Rice Sr. at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
8 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Lorraine Burts poses with some mascots at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
9 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
The door of one of the official vehicles at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
10 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
The Firestone mascot directs the incoming fleet of Chevy pick up trucks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
11 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Sash of one of the 500 Festival princesses at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
12 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Isabella Villasenor, age 3, poses with a volunteer at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
13 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Amos Huss, age 6, was in town from California visiting family and came to the 500 festival to kick off May with his grandmother at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
14 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
William Pickering looks through a deck of autographed collector cards of IndyCar drivers at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
15 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Daniel Rice drives his homebuilt electric bike at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
16 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
An IndyCar on display at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
17 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
An IndyCar on display at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
18 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
The Indy Ignite mascot Pepper holds one of the soapbox race cars competing, at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
19 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Governor Mike Braun speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
20 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
21 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
22 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
23 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
24 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Governor Mike Braun speaks at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
25 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
A Corvette at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
26 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Fred Aldred at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
27 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
An IndyCar at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
28 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
The 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
29 / 29
500 Festival launches May in Indy with event cars, derby races and fans
Tanya Cherry at the 500 festival to kick off May at Monument Circle Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Indianapolis.
The 2026 Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade has tapped a pair of Pacers to be grand marshals: Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard.
The organization chose Siakam and Nembhard for their reputation as fan favorites, leadership and impact on the court, the nonprofit organizer 500 Festival noted in a news release. The players will travel the route of the parade, which begins at 11:45 a.m. May 23, and talk to fans. The festival is celebrating its 70th year with the theme Racing Through History, which highlights the traditions that have developed over the past decades.
“Pascal and I are excited to represent the Pacers as Grand Marshals of the upcoming 500 Festival Parade,” Nembhard stated in the release. “We look forward to sharing the passion and excitement that people have for the Indy 500 and being a part of one of the nation’s most recognizable events leading up to race day.”
The Pacers made it to the NBA Finals last year, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 108-91 in Game 7.
Buy tickets to the parade at 500festival.com/parade. The parade will also be televised live locally on WTHR, Channel 13.
Recent 500 Festival Parade Grand Marshals
2025: Former Indiana Pacer Scot Pollard
2024: Tamika Catchings, basketball legend and founder of Catch the Stars Foundation
2023: Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalist and first ever Mini-Marathon winner
2020, 2021: Parade canceled due to Covid
2022: August A. Ebeling, longtime 500 Festival volunteer
2019: Sam Schmidt, NTT IndyCar Series team owner and philanthropist
2018: Abby Abel and Mitch Bonar, inspirational advocates for Unified Sports
2017: Eva Moses Kor, forgiveness advocate, champion of human rights, Holocaust survivor
