INDIANAPOLIS -- The weather, as it turned out, was perfect for a parade.
The 60th edition of the 500 Festival Parade brought an estimated 300,000 to the streets of downtown Indianapolis, almost as many as are expected to watch the 100th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. While a chance of storms was in the forecast, the rain held off, and fans were able to enjoy the bands, balloons, celebrities and - of course - the drivers in tomorrow's historic race.
The milestone year for the parade featured several milestones - a record number of floats (12), balloons (20) and marching bands (17). Celebrities included actors Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Nicke Gehlfuss (Chicago Med), Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, Governor Pence and Mayor Joe Hogsett.
The Grand Marshal of the parade was Emma Stumpf, a 14-year-old cancer patient from Greenwood who started a charity that sends art supplies to other sick children.
