Anyone looking for a pre-Indianapolis 500-Mile Race party Downtown on Saturday night got one.

Black-tie clad partiers gathered at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, for instance, for the annual Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball presented byCindyandPaul Skjodt.

The traditional event combined a gourmet meal, some of Hollywood’s celebrities, funk band The Ohio Players and a theme connected to a few other race day traditions — sunglasses, tattoos and creative attire.

Clyde Lee, of Lee/Willis Communications, andDavid Lewis, of Global Taxes and Eli Lilly and Co., showed up wearing matching black-and-white houndstooth jackets. But that was no fashion faux pas.

In 2007, the pair had them specially made and personalized for the annual event. Inside each jacket are their respective names, and the title “co-founder checkered coat club.”

Down the street at the swanky Conrad Indianapolis,David Lettermanwas heading out just as the line to get inside got longer.

Letterman paused to sign a few autographs and then left in a car.

Inside, an official Playboy party — complete with Playmates in bunny suits — was getting started.Carlos Diazof “Extra” hosted that one with the help of party rapperLudacris, who caused a stir among fans on his way in.

So did “Dancing with the Stars” celebsMark BallasandDerek Hough,who arrived with their rock band, andGilles Marini, known for his steamy role as Samantha’s neighbor in the “Sex in the City” movie.

PlaymateStephanie Larimore, who is a Hoosier and served as Miss June 2006 in Playboy, was pleased to be back home again in Indiana.

“A lot of my friends are here,” said Larimore, who lives in Washington, D.C. “I love the 500.”

Down the street at the Hilbert Circle Theatre,Rupert Bonehamof “Survivor” fame was having a drink at the Rhythm Fantasy 500 Race Party.

As expected, Boneham wore a tie-dye shirt. But, he said, it wasn’t just any tie dye because his daughter, 10-year-oldRaya,made it.

Before catching their rides for the IPL 500 Festival Parade on Saturday morning, celebrities in town for the city’s race celebration primped inside the Indianapolis-Marion County Central Library.

Then they headed out into the sunshine to meet the media and fans.

Kate Flannery, the hilarious redhead who plays Meredith Palmer on the television hit “The Office,” was a woman dressed in orange.

She turned out in a throwback strapless dress with bright designs on it, pearls and a matching orange parasol to keep the sunshine off her fair skin.