The 2011 500 Festival princesses represent 11 Indiana colleges and universities and 24 cities and towns across the state. The young women were selected from 278 applicants based on communication skills, poise, academic performance, and community and volunteer involvement. The 500 Festival has narrowed the field to 33 princesses who will serve as ambassadors for the 2011 500 Festival.
In this blog series we will introduce you to the 500 Festival Princesses, share what they are doing in Indiana communities and their tips for the month of May. We will also share their dream line-up of 33 drivers from TheGreatest33.com. Want to earn bragging rights by sharing your line-up with friends and family too? Be sure to click the “share” feature after finalizing and submitting your line-up!
With 31 days remaining until the Indy 500, we’re pleased to introduce you to Kimberly and Victoria!
Name: Kimberly Bennett
Hometown: Fishers, IN
School: IUPUI
Number of years you have attended the Indy 500? 5 The 500 Festival Parade? 10
Your tips to someone attending the Indy 500 for the first time:
Be prepared and make sure to choose your seats wisely. Don’t forget ear plugs, Indy Cars are not quiet! Make sure to pack drinks and snacks. It will also make life a lot easier if you bring a cooler on wheels. Become a history buff. The fabulous staff of the Hall of Fame Museum provides Grand Tours to notable and exclusive Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) landmarks, as well as rich IMS history. This year is even more significant since it is the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Find out why Indianapolis is the “Racing Capital of the World” and be a part of the tradition! If you are visiting Indy for the race, make a weekend out of it! Attend Miller Lite Carb Day Friday to see the last practice and the pit stop competition. Reserve tickets for the IPL 500 Festival Parade, one of the nation’s most premier parades, on Saturday. Later that evening, bring your camera to spot some celebrities arriving on the red carpet to attend the Snakepit Ball at Indiana Roof Ballroom. Don’t limit yourself to just the Indy 500! There are awesome things the whole family will enjoy during the entire month of May. Check out www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com and www.500festival.com/events/ for descriptions of the some of the coolest things to do in Indianapolis all year!
Your tips for someone attending the 500 Festival Parade for the first time: You should start out by familiarizing yourself with downtown Indianapolis. Make sure you know where to park and how to get to your seats. You do not want to miss anything considering the 500 Festival Parade ranks in the top three parades in the nation! Also, don’t forget your camera! The parade is a prime time to snap pictures up-close of Indy Car drivers, VIPs and your favorite costume characters. Appreciate tradition! The 500 Festival Parade has been kicking off race weekend for 54 years. The parade has come a long way since its first route in 1957 and now entertains nearly 300,000 spectators with floats, bands, celebrities and more!
This is what I am doing in my community as a representative of the Princess Program: The Princess Program has given myself and the other princesses several opportunities to get involved in the community. During March, April and May I am visiting classrooms and schools to bring in fun and educational activities incorporating the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival. The Indianapolis 500 Race is an important part in our state’s history and children are eager to hear about its impact. While in classrooms I also encourage students and families to take advantage of all the fun, kid-friendly events during the 500 Festival.
In addition, my fellow princesses and I will be volunteering at Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Mutt Strut. We are also making Easter baskets and cards for children in each of the rooms at Riley Hospital.
My Greatest 33 Line-up and what to check out on TheGreatest33.com: To see my dream Indianapolis 500 line-up, click here. The “Try the Driver Comparison” on TheGreatest33.com is a fun, interactive way to look at drivers and statistics. If you are somewhat a rookie to racing like myself, this will be a vital tool for picking your Greatest 33! After you have chosen your drivers, make sure you enter the sweepstakes on the site to win some cool prizes!
This May, I’m most looking forward to seeing: The Back Home Again in Indiana Community Decoration Program!
Let us know when you spot the 500 Festival Princesses in your community!
Name: Victoria Meyer
Hometown: New Palestine, IN
School: Indiana University
Number of years you have attended the Indy 500? 0 The 500 Festival Parade? 0
Your tips for someone attending the Indy 500 for the first time: Since this is my first time attending the Indianapolis 500 I am both excited and curious to experience everything the race and festival has to offer! I would still advise anyone who is attending the race to go to as many events during the month of May as possible and to make the most of their time at the track by getting their friends and family involved such as attending Community Day, Kids Day and the IPL Parade. Also pack water and dress appropriately for a day at the track!
Your tips for someone attending the 500 Festival Parade for the first time: This will also be my first year experiencing the IPL 500 Festival Parade firsthand and I am very excited for this event! There are over 300,000 people who attend the IPL 500 Festival Parade so order your tickets early, try to get good seats and bring your kids!
This is what I am doing in my community as a representative of the Princess Program: As an ambassador and representative for the Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess Program I will be speaking to local elementary schools, Girl Scout troops, churches, hospitals and at an Indianapolis 500 Family Night at the YMCA about the Indianapolis 500 Festival and race. I, along with other Princesses, will represent the Princess Program by attending various outreach programs throughout the city of Indianapolis and in our university towns as well.
My Greatest 33 Line-up on TheGreatest33.com: To see my dream Indianapolis 500 Line-Up click here.
This May, I’m most looking forward to: Carb Day!
Go Victoria! I am proud of you!! You will have such exciting experiences.
Congratulations! Cant wait to see you in the parade!
Victoria, I’m so excited for you! It will be my first Indy 500 as well. Thanks for the advice!
AOT love!
Victoria,
The Indy 500 is one of the coolest events I’ve been to! Enjoy your time as a princess! I’m sure it will be amazing!
Victoria-
You will have so much fun and do great! So excited for you and will be seeing you there!!!
Victoria-
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished! Keep up the hard work=]
This is so exciting! Hope you have a blast with it!
Victoria, You did an amazing job presenting all the wonderful facts about the Indianapolis 500 to our 4th graders. Our community is so proud of you!!! You are an amazing person and can’t wait to see all the many more great things you will do with you life!! Good luck!!!
Victoria – We are so proud of you! You will love the month of May and you will be a great embassador for the 500 Festival.
Congrats! That will be so much fun!
Victoria,
Enjoy the experience!! Looking forward to the parade.
Congrats!! You are an amazing Indy 500 Princess
Good luck! Love you!
Congratulations Victoria! You’re awesome!
Victoria,
You’ve made your father one proud papa! Keep up the good work! See ya at the parade!!
Congratulations Victoria, hope you have a terrific month!!
Kimberly- Im so happy for you. You are amazingly awesome!
Congratulations Victoria! I’ll be looking for you on race day
Have a wonderful experience Victoria!!
congrualtions kim, way to go!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Victoria!
Victoria–
The Indy 500 is an unbelievable experience. I hope you enjoy every minute.
Victoria–
What an awesome experience for you! Best of luck…everyone is so proud of you!
Victoria, What a great experience! You will get to be right in the middle of all the activities during the month of May. You are a lovely 500 Princess! Enjoy!
Kimberly Bennett is beautiful sexy and fantastic!
Way to go Victoria!
Congratulations, Victoria!
Good luck, Victoria! It should be a great experience.
Good Luck Victoria!
Victoria,
Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful time!
Victoria: Very proud of you. Good Luck!
Victoria – Good Luck!
Good luck, Victoria! What a fun life experience!
Good Luck Victoria!
Yay Victoria! Looking goooooood!
Victoria I am so proud of you! Hearing about all your fun experiences have been awesome! These will be some of the best memories of your life! Enjoy! Love you!
Victoria,
Enjoy your time of royalty! I’ll look for you at the Mini!
Congratulations, Victoria!! The kids at NPE were thrilled to see you!
Congratulations Victoria! Have fun.
Good Luck, Victoria! We are all so proud of all that you have done and wish you all the best in the future!
Get it girl
You’re beautiful!
YAY Victoria! Congratulations!
Congratulations Victoria, enjoy all the experiences around you!!
Congratulations Victoria!! Love you and have fun as a princess!
Congratulations and Good Luck Victoria!
Kim has a great personality and she is a great role model. People would be lucky to have her.
Kimberly is flawless!!!!!
She is so nice to other people and represents obey well!
Represents indiana well**
Congrats Victoria !!!!! So proud of you !!!!!
Victoria! I am so excited to see you on race day and I am so honored to know an amazing person like you! Congrats and Good luck!
Best wishes! We hope to see you among the front row drivers on race day.
Oops! I forgot to mention your name. Let me try it again. Best wishes, Victoria! You will make a lovely centerpiece among the front row drivers on race day.
Congrats Kimberly…aside from being an Indy 500 icon, you are a princess in your own right!
Congrats Victoria! This is such a neat opportunity. Best of luck!
Good luck Victoria! You’ll have so much fun
Go Kim! You’re the greatest!!!!!
Go Victoria! All the best of luck, you deserve this! AOT
Congratulations Victoria! I am so proud of you! You definitely deserve this after all of your hard working within the community and spreading your kindness and love. Keep up the great work!
congrats victoria!!!! we r so proud of u!!!!!!!!!!!
From cousins
Go Victoria!! We are all so proud of you! You make a very stunning princess
AOT
Congratulations!!
Victoria, we are so excited for you! Have fun and enjoy all the experiences you will have! Congrats!
Have a great time, Victoria! What a great experience for you!!! We’ll be cheering you on!
Congrats Victoria! Enjoy all the festivities, we are so proud of you!
Congrats! I am so proud of you! Enjoy all the great experiences this will bring you!
Congratulations Victoria!
Congrats Victoria, I am so proud of you! Enjoy all the great experiences this will bring you!
Congratulations Victoria!! I am so proud of you!!! Enjoy your month at all of the 500 festivities.
Way to go, Victoria!! The Ohio family is way proud of you. Can’t wait to see you in the parade.
Great Job Victoria, I know you will have fun, Very Proud of YOU!!!!
Congratulations Victoria! You are such a beautiful princess!
Kim-
congrats! you look great. I know how hard you have been working, so enjoy this!
Kim, I wish I was not “500″ miles from Indy. The family is so proud of you. Congratulations and enjoy the month of May. I’ll be with you in spirit.
Victoria!!! Congratulations, you’re a pretty pretty princess! You deserve it!
Kim, I am so proud of you. You are a beautiful Princess. Enjoy the month of May. Love You
Kimberly YOU LOOK GREAT! Congrats
Congratulations Victoria!
congratulations Kim you are great person you are a wonderful princess in your own way keep it up
This is actually your second time for the parade. Have a pic of you and Jackie when you were probably one and two
don’t you remember? 
You are a fantastic girl!
Am so excited for you Victoria!
Kimberly !!! Great to see you on here! We are proud of your hard work! Keep it up!
Kim! Congrats on getting this far! You can be my Indy 500 guide anytime!
VICTORIA SO EXCITiNG! I go to the parade every year!
Congratulations Kim! Good Luck!
Congrats Kimberly! See you at the 500!
Good luck Tor Tor!!!
Congratulations Victoria! So proud! Love ya!
Kim— Cant wait to see you in the parade! Im really excited for you!!
Congrats Victoria!
right on tor tor!!! good job and congrats
Way to go Victoria!
Good Luck Victoria! What a great role model.
Good Luck Victoria!
Victoria, Good Luck!
Victoria, Way to go!
Have a great time with everything Victoria!
Victoriaaaaaa!!!!
Victoria, congratulations!
Youre the best Victoria!
Tor Tor!(Victoria)
Go Tor Tor! (Victoria)
Congrats Kim. You really represent the best in personality and heart.
You look great! What a wonderful role model you are for your little cousins!
Congrats Victoria! We are so proud of you!
Congrats Victoria!!
Victoria, you are a great role model for a princess. Keep up the good work and enjoy your time and experiences.
Victoria:
Congratulations! I am so happy and proud for you! Have fun and good luck! I love you!
Kim, I am so proud of you! Keegan and I are looking forward to seeing you in the parade. You you will do a fantastic job representing the 500.
Good luck, Victoria!! We go to church with your Grandma and Grandpa Jennings. Heard a lot of great things about you. Good luck!
Kimberly…..I admire your hard work and dedication…you are a gem!
Good luck Victoria!
Victoria-Congrats love on being an inspiring Indy 500 Princess for young girls and the community! Good luck in the rest of your time and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience! I also am looking forward to Carb Day in May.
Good luck Kim. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. What a wonderful opportunity for you and I think you will do a fabulous job. Have fun and be proud.
Yay TorTor!! You’re the best roomie ever and I’m so proud of you!!
Congrats Victoria and good luck! Love you so much. <3 momma
Victoria,
What a great representative from IU. The Hooiser nation is proud of you! Enjoy the month of May.
Congrats Victoria! You will love your first Indy 500!
Good luck Victoria!
Congrats Victoria! Enjoy the limelight. You make a great representative for our schools.
Congrats Victoria!!!!! see you on carb day!!!!!
Congratulations Victoria, the Indy 500 & festivities will be more fun to watch & participate in, with you representing.
Have fun!
Congratulations Victoria! You are a great representative of New Pal!
Victoria-
Good luck & enjoy the experience!
Congratulations Kim, you are the greatest
Kim, you are an amazing girl!
Congratulations Kim.
good job
Good Luck Victoria!
I love the hair, kim! congratulations, & I hope you have a great time!
Good Luck Victoria
Congratulations Victoria! Have a fun month!
Kim good luck your so sweet!
Good Luck Victoria!
Victoria!!
You are such an incredible young woman! I know that you will shine on race day! Congratulations!
Good luck Victoria! Have a fun month!
She is so special and will make the parade so much fun! Go kim!
Your positive outlook on life is such a gift! Congratulations on your achievement.
Whoops thats for kim!
Your positive personality is a gift. Thanks for shaing and congratulations on your achievement.
Congrats Kim!! Look forward to seeing you at the track!!
Kimberly you are truly a wonderful person. It is a great joy to know you! We all think you are #1
kim is such a sweet and beautiful person inside and out!
Good Luck Victoria!!!! New Palestine is proud of you!!!!
You were named “VICTORia” for a reason!
Good Luck Victoria! Thanks for bringing the Pace Car to my school.
Congratulations….and good luck
Kim, you look great. Keep up the good work Love Allie
P.S. Say hi to Joey for me
Kim, I am so proud to be your aunt. You look great. Can’t wait to see you in the parade. Jackie
We enjoyed your visit to NPE very much! Best of luck to you, Victoria!
Kim, I’m so proud of you. You make a very beautiful princess. This is such a great opportunity. Congrats and best of luck!
Kim, your Aunt Jackie thinks you are the greatest… that means we do to!!
Kim,
You are a lovely young woman.
Wishing you the best now and in the future.
Kim, You are great – you go girl!!!
Kim, so proud of you. You were already a princess. Congratulations!
Enjoy the race Victoria!
Way to go cousin Victoria!
You’re the best Victoria!
So proud of my niece Victoria! Make the best memories
Congratulations Victoria!
Kim, You have a bright future ahead of you and I know your whole family is proud of you!! Congrats and all the best to you. April Mankin.
Go Victoria! Have fun
Have a great time Victoria!
Have fun Victoria!
Good luck, Victoria!
Good Luck Victoria.
Way to go Victoria!
Great Job Kim – Enjoy this awesome time.. me and Vitto (or Guido as Q calls him) will look for you during the mutt strut!
We love you Victoria! Have a blast the month of May!
Go Kim!! Congratulations!!
Go Kimberly!!! You’re the best sister ever! Good luck. P.S. You look gorgeous!
Way to go Kim! Life’s a bone, dig it! Get it girl. Love, Reggie
Congrats on a truly amazing accomplishment. Enjoy everything that comes with it. Hope to see you at the track.
Congratulations Cuz on a great achievment. Make me proud!
Great Job Kim. Go fast around that track!
(a fan of yours and friend of Tommy)
Yay Kim! You are an awesome princess!!
We are all very proud of you! You are beautiful inside and out! Love ya
Kim! Good luck on getting your numbers..err pictures!
Kimberly, Have a fabulous time as 500 Princess, you are lovely to look at.
What a fantastic opportunity and well deserved of your hard work. Enjoy the experience which will reap many memories for you!
The above post is for Kimberly.
I know you are truly a princess – I hope you have great experience this May!
Congratulations Kim I am so proud of you.
Way to go Kimberly. Hope you go all the way!
Heyy kim, good luck being the Princess! Have fun!!!
Congratulations Victoria! This is such an awesome experience and we are all so proud of you!
Way to go kimberly!!!
Way to go kimberly!!!
Good luck Kim. Gr8 job
Kim, you are a beautiful lady. I hope you win. I am a friend of your Aunt Nancy.
Kim, what an awesome experience! Enjoy every minute. Glad your beauty, both inside and out, is being recognized. Glad your Aunt Nancy let me know of this honor.
congratulations Kim!!! So cool to see you on this blog. Good luck and see you in June!