INDIANAPOLIS — Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor fallen Union soldiers after the Civil War. Known as Decoration Day at first, the name changed to Memorial Day in 1971. Congress changed the day of the observance in 1968 to the last Monday in May. The day was marked by families visiting the graveyards of loved ones killed on the battlefield.
Today, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and is observed with family picnics, concerts, and other outdoor celebration. But in Indianapolis, the whole weekend is about the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
The three-day weekend in Indianapolis is going to be a busy one. First, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be on Sunday, May 25 starting at 12:45 p.m. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials lifted the local blackout of the race because of a sell-out in the Grandstands.
Pacers fans who are also Indy 500 fans will likely have a huge weekend, as the Pacers are in the Playoffs and will be meeting the Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. Downtown is likely to be packed and parking will be at a premium (you might want to get a ride share, but those will be at a premium as well). Game 4 will be played at home as well, on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m.
There are several events leading up to the race, including the 500 Festival Memorial Day Service on Friday, May 23 at noon at the Indiana War Memorial, 55 E. Michigan St. on the north steps. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of the country. There will be a reading of names, and a Cortege with an honor guard and horse-drawn caisson. Indiana National Guard soldiers and airmen will provide color guard,
Carb Day will be celebrated on the 23rd at the Speedway, ending with a concert featuring Bret Michaels and the All American Rejects. Tickets are $40 and up, and include on track activities that includes the final practice for the 500. Call 317-492-6700 to order.
The AES 500 Festival Parade will be held on Saturday, May 24 at noon. Tickets are available online at 500festival.com. There will be balloons, marching bands, Indy 500 drivers, celebrities and much more parading downtown. There will be traffic restrictions around the route.
To honor those who have fallen, Crown Hill Cemetery will hold a commemoration ceremony on Monday, May 26 from 11 a.m.-noon at the Annex, 725 W. 42nd St. The event is free.
Because it is a federal holiday, all federal, state, and local government offices will be closed. The post office will not deliver mail, and offices will be closed. Indianapolis DPW will not pick up trash on Monday, and will operate on a sliding schedule (Monday pickups on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday and so on). The Indianapolis Public Library branches will be closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to observe the holiday. Most banks will also be closed.
