“I’m So Excited” to see the Pacemates in the 500 Festival Parade

Amidst the fun, sunshine, and excitement of attending the 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis are the occasional concerns that these might be the last moments of life if you are sitting in the front row.  Motorcycle daredevils whizzing past your feet, a horse that seemed a bit TOO nervous, and always (and why, on days with little wind?), helium cartoon character balloons that seem WAY out of control (yes, I’m talking about you Uncle Sam).  But, if I had been squished by a large multi-colored cartoon figure, I would have died happy having seen the Pacemates along the parade route.

From my seats, the Pacemates, the dance squad for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, walked alongside a float carrying the Pointer Sisters.  The Pointers performed at one the pre-Indy 500 concerts later that night, no doubt Neutron Dancing up a storm.   The Pacemates were in appropriate race week checkered attire, and walked along a parade route on a sunny and a bit hot Saturday afternoon.  The 500 Festival Parade is the state’s largest parade and features all 33 drivers that race in the next day’s Indy 500.

But walking in the parade was the LEAST of the Pacemates’ role in the parade.  For those sitting in the big bleachers at the front, where the TV cameras capture the parade, the Pacemates were part of the big opening musical number, featuring country music’s Laura Bell Bundy.

Pacemates perform in 500 Festival Parade