INDIANAPOLIS — With less than 22 days to go until the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, Hoosiers gathered Friday evening to celebrate a beloved local tradition — the Indy 500 Porch Party Kickoff.
The 10th annual event drew hundreds of IndyCar fans to the Harrison Center on the city’s near north side, where they picked up their official “porch kits” — packages filled with front yard signs, flags, beer koozies and other festive gear to help them decorate their homes in race-themed style.
“It’s like Christmas,” said Julie Schmoll, an Indianapolis resident who’s been part of the tradition for years. “It’s turned into a tradition in our neighborhood. One of my friends actually won one of the competitions last year. We always decorate, and we love it.”
Porch parties have become a hallmark of May in Indianapolis, helping residents show their spirit in the lead-up to what’s widely known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“We have been doing this for the past couple years, and it’s how we kick off the month of May,” said Indy resident Therese Cangany. “We love to see what’s in the little packet and then go home and decorate.”
The porch party program is part of a broader community engagement initiative from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), which promotes the tradition as a way to connect neighborhoods to the excitement of the race.
“People who aren’t from here think the Indy 500 is just a race,” said Michael Kaltenmark, senior director of marketing at IMS. “But for all of us who are here, we know that it’s much more than a race — it’s community. This is an event phenomenon that central Indiana revolves around.”
With the green flag set to fly later this month, fans say the porch parties mark the unofficial start of race month and the energy that comes with it.
“It goes along with that theme of — it’s the party that our city gets to celebrate,” said Kevin Schmoll. “You kind of feel like we have our culture going on here. It’s fun, it’s exciting.”
“The race is just such an exciting event and all of the traditions — it’s one of those things I’m proud to be from Indianapolis for,” said Cangany.
The 109th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
For more on where you can pick up your own porch kit, click here.
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