INDIANAPOLIS — As the countdown to the Indianapolis 500 reaches less than 30 days to go, preparations are underway for events all month long.
With one week until the Mini Marathon, hundreds of volunteers are getting their gear for race day.
"It takes a lot of people who want to be a part of it and understand what it's all about," said Charmel Williams.
Whether it's their first year or tenth, volunteers say there's a shared excitement.
"It's neat because there are people who have been doing it for lots and lots of years and then you have me, a newbie," Williams said.
Organizers tell 13News, they wouldn't be able to get through the race without their volunteers.
"We really rely on them for the support and assistance at all of our events, we really appreciate everything they do," said Lindsay Labas, VP of Marketing and Communications for 500 Festival.
As volunteers pick up their packets, packets are being made for the Porch Party.
"What we are really trying to do is get people to decorate their front porches, their yards, so when everyone drives by knows it's May," said Doug Boles, IMS President.
It's a party that lasts all month long with 500-themed decorations.
"The porch parties kick things off, I really know it's around the corner because fans are with us as we do the final countdown to the Indy 500," Boles said.