The 500 Festival announced today that American country music artist Kellie Pickler will perform the opening number for the IPL 500 Festival Parade. Pickler will be singing her new single, “Tough,” from her upcoming 19 Entertainment/BNA Records release. Accompanying Pickler in the opening festivities are the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and Anita’s Dance Companies of Wisconsin. After the opening number, Pickler will ride in the Parade. The IPL 500 Festival Parade is Saturday, May 28 at noon in downtown Indianapolis.


Pickler is an American country music artist and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol, eventually finishing in sixth place. In 2006 she released her first album, certified gold Small Town Girl. In 2008, she released her self-titled sophomore album producing the hit singles “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful”, “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” and “Best Days of Your Life,” which sold more than one million digital singles.


More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the two-mile parade route to see the 33 starting drivers of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 ®, more than 80 specialty units, floats, marching bands, giant inflatable balloons and costumed characters.