Indianapolis International Airport prepares for thousands of Swifties
Oct 31, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS - Taylor Swift will be performing at Lucas Oil Stadium for three sold-out nights this weekend and fans are traveling from all over the country to see her perform.
“I am pumped up like I could jump off the walls right now,” said Isabell Angel, a fan from Texas. Isabel Angel’s mom followed up by saying, “I always joke she’s been a Swiftie since the womb.”
“[We have] butterflies and excitement. It’s been a long time coming, said Jodi Eddy and Sarah Vilnit, fans from New Hampshire.
“I genuinely feel like I am going to start crying like I will shed some tears 'cause I've been listening to Taylor Swift since elementary school,” said Kunika Tiwari, a fan from Virginia.
This weekend, Indianapolis is known as ‘Swift City,’ where fans are being welcomed with signs, banners, and live music.
“I am honestly very blown away,” Tiwari said, “[I was] not expecting this at all. It feels like a very community feel which I love.”
“I love it,” said Megana Pradeep, another fan from Virgina. “It's such a positive environment seeing all types of ages, kids, older people, it’s really cool”
The Indianapolis International Airport and the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana teamed up to make Swifties feel welcomed to Indianapolis, many visiting for the first time. Fans also had the chance to make and trade friendship bracelets and take photos in a special Taylor Swift-themed pop-up experience inside the airport.
“We are ready for Swifties to come in over the next several days and for them to enjoy their time in Indianapolis,” said Megan Carrico, the Senior Director of Public Affairs with the Indianapolis International Airport.
“Girl Scouts is so excited to be a part of this amazing celebration to welcome Swifties to our city and give a little bit of extra Girl Scout friendship fun and flare at our bracelet station over here,” said Lauren Palmer, the Director of Communications with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
Several airlines have added more seats and additional flights to accommodate all of the fans.
“As best friends we just wanted to come and have a really good weekend and enjoy some great music,” Eddy and Vilnit said.
“Having a whole weekend of super fun girlhood, going out, doing the events, and getting to know the city, we have never been here before… We are so excited to be here. Laurie Cunningham, a fan from South Carolina, said.
One of those fans, flying from Boston, will have her wish come true through Make-a-Wish.
“I love Taylor Swift,” Harper Oates, a Make-A-Wish recipient said.
“ I have never seen her cry tears of absolute joy,” said Dawn Oates, Harper’s mom. “I have seen her cry in a lot of other situations but not because she was happy and to see that moment where she was just speechless, you know, it was pretty special.”
But all swifties can agree, this weekend is going to be beyond their Wildest Dreams.
“Just being around the whole crowd with music that fills your soul and you can scream at the top of your lungs and have a great time,” Eddy and Vilnit said.
“I made a bunch of friendship bracelets so I'm really excited to trade and meet new people but also to make memories with my friends,” Pradeep said.
“We love Taylor Swift,” Angel said.
Again, The Eras Tour kicks off on Friday night at Lucas Oil with three sold-out shows. Officials want to remind anyone traveling to the concert to allow extra time as the city is going to be packed.