Indianapolis Motor Speedway apologizes for shutting down lemonade

INDIANAPOLIS, May 22 (UPI) -- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway apologized for shutting down a 10-year-old girl's lemonade stand during the city's Lemonade Day.

Morgen Morris, whose stand Saturday was sponsored by WIBC-FM, Indianapolis, said she was hoping to raise enough money to buy a Kindle Fire, donate to the American Heart Association in honor of her late uncle and start a college fund by selling lemonade for 75 cents per glass at the speedway, but she was shut down by an IMS employee who said she didn't have a permit from the Marion County Health Department, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, reported Wednesday.

"We had a line going, so I thought maybe we would make a lot of money, but then he said you have to shut down and he cut the line off," Morris said.

However, Lemonade Day organizers said the health department grants waivers for the event so children operating stands Saturday did not need permits.

"It's one of those unfortunate instances ... It's a mistake that shouldn't have happened and clearly we're trying to fix it," IMS spokesman Doug Boles said.

Morris said IMS officials told her Monday they would donate $500 to the American Heart Association. WIBC-FM said a pair of listeners heard about the story and decided to donate $250 and $500.

"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade," the 10-year-old quipped.