Indy 500 Porch Parties Return

The Harrison Center has teamed up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to promote Porch Party Indy and the Indianapolis 500.

Indianapolis area fans are encouraged to participate in the city-wide celebration by decorating their yards and homes in race-themed fashion, similar to many of the floats featured in the traditional parade.

Executive Director, Joanna Taft said Porch Party Indy encourages people to gather on their porches with friends and neighbors to help cultivate a sense of community.

“Porching can be a very healthy and safe way to connect.  You can sit on your porch and wave to
someone else on their porch. Or you can benefit from the fresh air and you can have people over to your yard but you can still keep distance and be safe,” Taft said.

The Harrison Center's porch parties became part of the Indy 500 celebration in 2016. This year -- due to COVID-19 -- the 500 Festival parade will be a social distanced “porch parade” called Spectacle of Homes.

The Spectacle of Homes is May 29 and features porches/houses as “floats”. Residents can enter their house or neighborhood for a special Indy 500 visit.