Grand Marshal Of Indianapolis 500

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500 Festival News
Megan Bulla

Anderson Cooper named as Grand Marshal for 2011 IPL 500 Festival Parade

INDIANAPOLIS (May 17, 2011) – The 500 Festival announced today that Anderson Cooper has been named Grand Marshal of the 2011 IPL 500 Festival Parade. The 54th IPL 500 Festival Parade is Saturday, May 28 and will be a celebration of the 2011 theme: Miles of Memories: Celebrating the Most Important Race in History.

Anderson Cooper brings his passionate voice and unique ability as a storyteller to daytime television as host and executive producer of the upcoming nationally syndicated, daily one-hour talk show, Anderson, debuting in syndication September 12th, airing locally at 5 p.m. on MyINDY-TV 23. Cooper, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist, will continue as anchor of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360°, airing weeknights at 10 p.m. on CNN. Cooper has covered virtually every major news event around the world. He has won numerous awards and has captivated audiences with his courageous and compassionate on-the-scene reports of history-making events, including the political uprising in Egypt, the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in both Japan and Haiti, as well as the destructive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to reporting for CNN, Cooper also provides high profile interviews for CBS's 60 Minutes, speaking to newsmakers and cultural icons, such as Lady Gaga, Eminem and Michael Phelps.

“I'm really excited to be the grand marshal and ride in the 500 Festival Parade,” said Anderson Cooper. “I love Indianapolis and am happy to be there on such a special day.”

“Anderson Cooper has become a face of American news through his reporting of major worldwide events,” said Kirk Hendrix, President and CEO of the 500 Festival. “We are pleased and honored to have him participate as Grand Marshal of the IPL 500 Festival Parade during this historic 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.”

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the two-mile parade route to see the 33 starting drivers of the 2011 Indianapolis 500®, more than 80 specialty units, floats, marching bands, giant inflatable balloons and costumed characters.

This year’s parade is a true representation of the power and pageantry of the month of May - a Hoosier tradition for 54 years with a television package that will bolster the Parade’s national presence. The IPL 500 Festival Parade will be televised nationally on the VERSUS Cable Network at 5 p.m. EDT and locally on WISH-TV at 8 p.m.

Tickets to the IPL 500 Festival Parade are available at the 500 Festival Ticket Office weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (317) 614-6400. Reserved bleacher seats are $14.50; reserved chair seats $18 and reserved VIP/TV Zone seats are $32. For more information, visit www.500festival.com.


The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 54 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.

Last year, over 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in nearly 50 events and programs throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state’s largest festival for kids or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation’s premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.