Pacers' Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard named Grand Marshals for 2026 500 Festival Parade
Two Pacers starters will take part in one of Indianapolis’ signature traditions leading up to the Indy 500.
Last May, during the Indianapolis 500, the Pacers were playing the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. But this season, the Pacers endured an injury-riddled 19-63 season — one they’re eager to move past.
It’s also allowed the players and staff alike to get much-needed rest after back-to-back seasons reaching at least the conference finals.
Pacers fans will get to see two starters involved in an annual tradition surrounding The Greatest Spectacle in Racing later this month.
The 500 Festival selected Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard as Grand Marshals for the 70th 500 Festival Parade, which will be held Saturday, May 23, in downtown Indianapolis.
“Pascal and I are excited to represent the Pacers as Grand Marshals of the upcoming 500 Festival Parade,” Nembhard said in a statement. “We look forward to sharing the passion and excitement that people have for the Indy 500 and being a part of one of the nation’s most recognizable events leading up to race day.”
The organization has a strong history of including members of the Pacers and Fever. After the 2012 Fever championship team could not enjoy a parade because of rain, the 500 Festival Parade hosted the entire team the following year so they could experience the championship celebration they deserved.
“Pascal and Andrew embody the passion, determination, and teamwork that define both the Indiana Pacers and our community,” added Dave Neff, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “As we celebrate 70 years of the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade, it’s only fitting to have two athletes who are helping shape the next chapter of Indiana sports history lead this year’s celebration.”
Siakam, especially, loves racing. You’ll likely see him at the Indy 500 on May 24.
Last summer, he was selected to drive the pace car for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Before serving as a Grand Marshal, Nembhard is scheduled to ride in the two-seater — the Fastest Seat in Sports — before the start of the Sonsio Grand Prix.
The IndyCar race begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and will air on FOX.
And then on Sunday, the Pacers’ full attention will shift to the NBA Draft Lottery at 3 p.m. ET (ABC). That’s when they’ll find out where — and if — they’ll select in the upcoming NBA Draft.
They have a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history and a 52.1% chance of moving into the top four. If the pick falls outside the top four — specifically at No. 5 or 6 — it will convey to the LA Clippers as part of the trade that brought center Ivica Zubac to Indiana.
Point guard T.J. McConnell will represent the Pacers on stage.
