Parade goers brave hot temperatures

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It was a day of excitement with one glaring problem the heat.  A heat advisory issued for Saturday forced most parade goers to think ahead.

The hot sun didn't keep fans away from the IPL 500 Festival Parade. “I have not prepared for the heat. How can you prepare for the heat? Right?” says Ann Hoya who went to the parade.

As floats passed by  and racing royalty sped past fans, it was already a steamy 86 degrees and the humidity at 51%. But for those out of town, not all racing fans are used to the Hoosier heat and humidity. “We're from Idaho. So the heat and humidity really gets us,” says Mary Wertman.

Even those from the Midwest, these conditions in May are rare, but planning was the main idea for people to stay safe. “We have these coolies my husband and I and we brought water,” says Wertman.

The hot conditions didn’t bring parade goers down. Even the race car driver’s spirits were high for the parade. “Its warm didn't got the hot black shirt on as well but it's really, I just got a little preview of the parade the fans are out here in droves so I'm really excited about getting out there and thanking everyone from coming out today,” says Ryan Briscoe Pole winner.

The heat didn't stop celebrities, but more importantly fans. “We're just trying to a we're just trying to keep it cool, but yeah it is a worry,” says Cindy Hildebrand a fan who traveled from Canada.

If you didn't make it downtown for the parade Saturday morning you can watch the 2012 IPL 500 Festival Parade on WISH-TV at 8pm.

The 500 Festival had a estimated total of 300,000 people and medics treated 50-75 people for heat related issues.