2003 Indy 500
The Night-before Party

A big crowd and the complete closing of Georgetown Rd to vehicles made 2003's Indy 500 race eve one of the busiest and drunkest we've seen in quite some time. There are plenty of pictures below - some with captions or discussion.

The Brickyard 400 and F1 races see smaller crowds and there are more family groups. Still fun wandering but fewer real eccentrics.

Ourselves, we wandered in about 9pm and the crowd was already large. By midnight it was larger. About 1am some of the entertainment near 16th St started to close and by 3am many of the folks were walking wounded trying to make it until dawn.

The downsides (besides the hangovers):

  1. With no crossing patrol at 16th and Georgetown people really didn't know when to walk and interactions between pedestrians and drivers were common. A few rear-end accidents in the area might have been prevented with a smoother traffic flow.
  2. 73 arrests. Mostly drunks. A couple of pot busts. Despite the testosterone and alcohol combination, not many fights. Actually the police do a terrific job of letting people know their presence without getting in people's faces. Indiana State Troopers march the street en masse and don't bother people unless there's a problem. They'd much rather just settle the problem than haul anyone in. Very professional.
  3. Still not enough port-a-potties.

Anyway, here goes with the pictures. They are basically chronological in 5 sections. Walkers, Sitters, Food, Odd folks, and Campers. Enjoy.

Walking from 16th St to 25th St and back is the main entertainment.

When you're tired of walking, just stand (or sit) on the side. You have the choice of quietly gawking or hooting and hollering.

There's plenty to eat along the way.


Any hint at a nekkid breast brings a feeding frenzy.

These last were taken in people's yards on the way back to our car at 3am.

All pictures © Bob Ostrander 2003