Marshal Of IPL 500

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

The 500 Festival announced Monday that CNN anchor Anderson Cooper has been named Grand Marshal of the 2011 IPL 500 Festival Parade.

By News Staff
Fox59
6:53 a.m. EDT, May 17, 2011

Indianapolis— The 500 Festival announced Monday that CNN anchor 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.

In addition to being an Emmy award-winning journalist, Cooper is a best-selling author and television personality, anchoring the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°. Cooper has covered numerous worldwide headlines including the tsunami damage in Sri Lanka, the death of Pope John Paul II, Hurricane Katrina and the Niger famine, among many.

“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.

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.