Everything you need to know about the 2024 500 Festival Parade

The big picture: The parade is one of the original 500 Festival events and has been happening since 1957.

• More than 200,000 spectators are expected to line the streets to see the floats, balloons, bands and competitors up close and personal.

Zoom in: This year, the parade's opening production is being led by Phillip Phillips, the former "American Idol" winner who is singing "God Bless America" before Sunday's race.

• Providing backup will be a dance performance by the Colts Cheerleaders and the Indiana Pacemates.
• The theme of the parade is "Iconic Moments in Indy."
• In addition to the drivers, 15 marching bands and the 500 Festival princesses will be in the lineup.

If you go: The festivities start at 11:45am Saturday, and the parade begins at noon.

• Tickets start at $25 for bleacher seats or you can try to find a place to watch on the sidewalk.
• You can watch at home on WTHR-13 or Peacock.

Go deeper: Indy 500 drivers to know

• Your guide to the IMS this weekend
• A playlist to pregame for the Snake Pit