BY THE NUMBERS
By The Numbers, a look at what’s in the news . . . by the numbers. These are just numbers, not suggestions that they mean more or less than what they are. We do not suggest that one number is connected to another. These are simply facts with no extraneous details, bias or slanted reporting. To borrow (and perhaps mangle a bit) a quote from legendary fictional detective Joe Friday, it’s just the numbers, ma’am!
It’s the final few days of April, which means it’s almost May – the Merry Month of May! Flowers and trees will be in full bloom and folks have already been cutting grass. Farmers will be in the field and the cold weather may not be entirely gone (you never know when it’ll raise its ugly head), but for the most part, the weather is on the upswing!
So without further ado, here is a look at May . . . by the numbers.
109
Indiana is probably best known for, especially in the month of May, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. This year marks the 109th running! If you want tickets, they are still available. In fact, the prices don’t go up until May 1. So hurry up and get that order in!
5-10
Speaking of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the stars of the NTT Indycar Series take to the IMS road course on May 10 in the Sonsio Grand Prix.
33
Of course we couldn’t leave mention of the 500 without the number 33 – the traditional number of cars in the field each year. Do you know the last time the race didn’t have 33 cars? It’s been a minute – 1947.
5 Days in May
OK, it’s a bit of a drive, but the world’s largest Beatles-inspired music festival is down on the southern tip of the state. Abbey Road on the River takes place May 22-26 in Jeffersonville.
300,000
At almost the opposite end of the state, in Lowell, there are 300,000 stunning tulip blooms in their full glory at the First-ever Tulip Festival. It’s going on now until May 11.
5
Cinco-de-Mayo takes place on May 5. This is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over France. It occurred at the battle of Puebla (and is also known as the Battle of Puebla Day) in 1862. Of course, restaurants and communities all over Indiana will observe the celebration in their own ways! Just remember, if you celebrate with a margarita or two, have a designated driver!
2 minutes
OK, we mentioned the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, so here’s a quick mention of what’s called the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports – the Kentucky Derby. For those keeping score at home, this year marks the 151st running and takes place on May 3. Also for those keeping score at home, about 150,000 to 170,000 people go to Louisville for the Derby each year. Some say that makes it the biggest sporting event in the world. We Hoosiers and Indy 500 fans know that’s simply not true!
1
On May 11, we can all celebrate the one most special lady in our lives, Mom!