INDIANAPOLIS — A billboard condemning an Indy 500 tradition has been taken down in downtown Indy.
The billboard on West 16th Street near North Harding was made blank this week after a sign paid for by the group Balloons Blow was put up against the annual balloon release, a tradition before the start of every Indianapolis 500 since 1947.
Balloons Blow spokeswoman Danielle Vosburgh said the balloons cause a littering danger which could lead animal deaths.
“We need to reevaluate traditions, not just blindly follow them,” said Vosburgh, who adds that the Indy 500 balloon release is now the largest balloon release in the world after their group has put a stop to so many others.
Outfront Media owns the sign and, according to Balloons Blow, the company told them that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had reached out to them saying the sign was an attack and asked for it to be taken down.
IMS denied that to WISH-TV.
(PHOTO: WISH-TV)
