When the calendar gets to April, a special buzz swirls around Indiana University ahead of Little 500 weekend.
The sun finally starts to come out, the speakers are blaring on almost every corner and previous obligations are thrown to the side for what has been called “The World’s Greatest College Weekend.”
For those unfamiliar with the festivities, the Little 500 is a four-person cycling race comprised of IU students, where more than 25,000 people come to Bloomington and gather at Bill Armstrong Stadium for the breathtaking races.
The action will commence on Thursday night with IU football’s spring game at 8 p.m, April 18. The spring game marks the first page in a new chapter for Hoosier football under newly hired head coach Curt Cignetti, with many new faces looking to turn the tide in 2024.
The Little 500 races begin with the women’s 100-lap at 4 p.m, Friday, April 19. Melanzana cycling will look to defend its crown after posting a 1:12:23.66 in 2023. However, it’s never easy to win a race in front of a crowd at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
The Little 500 crowds are notorious for their raucous behavior, with jeers and boos constantly following bike transitions, trying to distract the riders from executing. A bad bike pass could lead to the crowd dominating the scene and putting the finishing blow on a team. The race is also filled with boisterous cheers as teams circle the home bleachers, with the crowd decked out in their team’s apparel as they support their friends.
When Saturday rolls around, the partying starts early and doesn’t let up, with the fans in high spirits for a day months in the making. Many of the fans will flock to Kirkwood Avenue for bars and restaurants, starting at 7 a.m. with Kilroy’s Bar and Grill’s famous breakfast club.
The fun times continue with block parties and tailgates throughout the day, where it becomes a challenge to go multiple blocks on campus without seeing a pong table. The men’s 200-lap will start at 2 p.m. with CUTTERS looking to continue their dominant stretch of winning three times in the last five years after posting a 2:15:28.61 in 2023.
There’s no doubt Little 500 is one of the biggest traditions in Bloomington, and something IU students and alumni cherish. The atmosphere in the stadium and town makes Bloomington feel larger than life and creates a special memory for all that partake. Keep April 19-20 free on the calendar as the festivities will arrive sooner than anticipated.
