May Events in Downtown Indianapolis

May means the 500 Festival in Indianapolis. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

Along with the outstanding lineup of annual 500 Festival events, Downtown will be buzzing with new exhibits, big sports action and more. Check the highlights below.

 

Ride on, Indy!

Downtown cyclists are ecstatic to welcome the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare program to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail beginning tomorrow, April 22. The new program consists of 250 bicycles and 25 bikeshare stationsalong the Downtown trail. Bikers can cruise through Downtown by purchasing a 24-hour pass for $8 or an annual membership for $80 with unlimited 30-minute rides during your pass or membership period. Make sure to purchase a pass and test out a bike on May 17, Bike to Work Day.

 

Wholesale District Beautification Day

Community members are coming together for a morning of partnership, productivity and fun as district employees participate in the seventh annual Wholesale District spring cleaning on Monday, May 5. More than 200volunteers will create a clean, pedestrian-friendly environment for the district’s sidewalks, store fronts and businesses. Tasks include sweeping the sidewalks and curbs, removing stickers, painting over graffiti and picking up litter.

 

Happy Hour on Georgia Street

Beginning May 9, Georgia Street’s center block will turn into a work respite every Friday from 4 – 6:30 p.m.  Visitors can enjoy live music on the Boardwalk, order appetizers/drinks from Harry & Izzy’s and the Omni Severin Hotel and start their weekend off with friends at Downtown’s hometown hangout! Also on Georgia Street – FREE Workout Wednesdays from noon – 12:45 p.m. and Food Truck Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 

Original Farmers’ Market returns May 7

Downtown’s Original Farmers’Market returns to Indianapolis City Market May 7 and every Wednesday through October. The market is open from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Market Street between Delaware and Alabama Streets. Market Street will be closed each Wednesday during this time.

 

Spring 5Ks and runs begin

April 26: Walk MS, Military Park

April 26: Matt Breman Run 4Kids, White River State Park

April 27: Best Buddies Friendship Walk, NCAA Hall of Champions

May 3: OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

May 10: Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run

May 10: March for Babies, White River State Park

May 17: The Color Run, White River State Park

May 17: Walk for Arthritis, Military Park

May 18: Indianapolis Great Strides Walk, White River State Park

May 18: Walking for Dreams Family & Pet Walk, the Canal

 

Major upcoming conventions and shows

April 24 – 27: National Rifle Association of America Annual Meeting, Indiana Convention Center, est. attendance 50,000

May 8: Daryl Hall and John Oates, Old National Centre

May 9: John Legend, Old National Centre

May 10: Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

May 16 – 19: Do It Best Corp, Indiana Convention Center, est. attendance 10,000

May 19: EDTA: Ride, Drive and Charge, Georgia Street

 

Big things happening in May

May promises to be a big month for Downtown Indy! Terra Cotta Warriors: The Emperor’s Painted Army is coming to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis May 10. It will be the only chance to see the warriors in the U.S. in 2014. Take Me There: China is also opening May 10 and is one of the largest exhibits about contemporary China ever produced in the US. The Indianapolis Zoo will open the world’s largest International Orangutan Center Memorial weekend. A soaring 150-foot highBeacon of Hope will draw people into the Zoo while enhancing the Downtown skyline.

 

“Feel the Rhythm of May”

This year’s 500 Festival theme is “Feel the Rhythm of May.” The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon, the largest mini marathon in the nation, takes off at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. The course begins at the intersection of Washington and West streets, heads west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and does a complete lap around the 2.5 mile track before heading back down New York Street.

 

The IPL 500 Festival Parade kicks off at noon on May 24. About 300,000 spectators from around the country will line the streets of Indianapolis for one of the nation’s premier parades. The month-long roster of events culminates with the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

Other 500 Festival events:

May 10: Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day and Rookie Run

May 17: 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard

May 21: American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day

May 23: 500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce

May 24: Keybank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball

 

Catch summer fever and more Downtown sports

The Indiana Fever kicks off their season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 17 against the Atlanta Dream. Also catch the Fever on May 23 against the Washington Mystics, May 29 against the Connecticut Sun and May 31 against the New York Liberty. The Indianapolis Indians’ regular season is in full-swing at Victory Field with 14 home games May 9 – 31. Catch the Weekday Game Parking Shuttle and ride for free on a shuttle that takes you to the Victory Field entrance. You can park at Lucas Oil Stadium (Gate #1, off Missouri Street) for $5.

 

Indy Eleven recently kicked off its season with a sold-out game at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Catch the team take the field May 10 against FC Edmonton, May 17 against Ottawa Fury FC and May 31 against San Antonio Scorpions.

 

Bring Mom Downtown this Mother’s Day

Downtown attractions and restaurants will make Mother’s Day extra special. Visit Mother’s Day Weekend at the Indianapolis Zoo May 10 and 11 and participate in a scavenger hunt, “mom-themed” keeper chats a photo station and more. On May 10 from 1 – 3 p.m., treat your mom to a special Steampunk-themed Mother’s Day tea at Morris-Butler House. Brunch with mom at one of Downtown Indy’s best restaurants: Market Table at the Alexander, the Rathskeller or Weber Grill. For more Mother’s Day events, visit: www.indydt.com/mothersday.cfm.

 

Big shows hit the stage Downtown

May 2 & 3: Karrin Allyson: Round Midnight, The Cabaret at The Columbia Club

May 2: Tracy Morgan, Old National Centre

May 7: Nickel Creek, Old National Centre

May 8: Daryl Hall and John Oates, Old National Centre

May 9 & 10: Cole Porter’s Anything Goes In Concert, Hilbert Circle Theatre

May 9: John Legend, Old National Centre

May 10: Tegan & Sara, Old National Centre