It’s a great day when you get to meet Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck and NBC’s “The Voice” winner Josh Kaufman. Along with other celebrities, they met with reporters on the steps of the main library in downtown Indianapolis before the 500 Festival Parade.
Cuban was the honorary starter of the Indianapolis 500 race this year. As a graduate of Indiana University, he is a big fan of Indiana events and said he comes back whenever he gets the opportunity. “Our family loves Indiana,” Cuban said. When pressed about whether he would encourage his children to attend IU, he said, “Well, that would be nice, but those decisions will be theirs to make. But this is great. We love it here.”
Luck drew huge cheers from the crowd when he arrived. Luck replaced Peyton Manning as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and has proved to be popular with fans.
Luck said, “It’s a great day to be in Indianapolis. The parade today, and the Pacers tonight.”
Carmel resident Kaufman was also a crowd favorite. Looking dapper in his signature fedora, he was relaxed and eager to talk with reporters and fans. When asked what music he would most like to perform, he answered, “Well, that would be my own, my original songs.”
Actor Cole Hauser’s thoughts were on honoring fallen military members on Memorial Day.
“I have the utmost respect people who have served in the military,” he said.
Hauser currently stars on DirecTV as the male lead opposite Thandie Newton in season two of “Rogue.” He plays an ex-soldier who runs a security company specializing in corporate espionage.
Michael Feinstein, a two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy nominated entertainer, co-wrote the 500 Festival song “Get the Rush.” Accompanying Feinstein was 2013 American Songbook winner Julia Goodwin and 2012 winner Nick Ziobro.
Singer-songwriter, Josh Kelley, who wrote the theme song for “Mike and Molly,” was excited to see the race. He was also excited to get back to his children and wife, Katherine Heigl, for a picnic on Memorial Day.
Three Sochi Olympic medal winners chatted with reporters before the parade. Gracie Gold, a bronze medalist figure skater, Steve Langton, a bronze medal-winning bobsledder, and Nick Goepper, a bronze medal skier all appeared in great shape and ready to have fun.
Later among parade viewers, we spotted Carmel High School Teacher Drew Grimes, with his children, Luke and Nina. Accompanying him were his parents, Bruce and Jane Grimes, and his grandmother, Mid Paullus.
The Indy 500 Parade Festival is one of the premier parades in the country, along with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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