alloween is the second-most celebrated holiday in the United States, surpassed in spending only by Christmas. This year alone, Forbes magazine estimates that Halloween spending will set a new record, at $10.6 billion. And the biggest and best place to get your Halloween on is Irvington, which is holding its 76th Annual Halloween Festival, concluding with a Street Fair on Saturday, Oct. 29 (last year’s parade pictured above).
On Friday, Oct. 28, the Zombie Bike Ride begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Irvington Library Parking lot and winds its way down the streets, ending up at Irving Circle. People of all ages dress up their bikes and get their costumes out for a fun ride through the neighborhood. Admission is free.
The streets could get pretty crowded as Al Hunter will host the last of his Ghost Tours (20 year Anniversary of Ghost Tour) on Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m. The 28th and 29th are the last tours of the year, and they have been seeing record crowds, so get there early! Tickets are available at the Magic Candle prior to the walk, or get to the starting point at the corner of Johnson and East Washington by 6:45 p.m. to get on the tour. Admission is $20 (cash only) and includes a book, flashlight (while supplies last), and two hours of fascinating history and hauntings. Wear good shoes, bring a backup flashlight, and dress for the weather.
All of this is a precursor to the blowout Street Fair that will take place on East Washington St. between Ritter and Bolton beginning with the Pleasant Run Vampire Run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. East Washington St. will be closed to through traffic beginning early in the morning and will open up again after the vendors pack up and leave. The street fair vendors open up at 10 a.m. Check out last week’s Weekly View issue with full details of events on the 29th. Parking is available at Howe at Emerson and Washington St. with a shuttle taking people to and from the street fair. Line up for the traditional costume parade at 3:30 p.m. and it begins at 4 p.m., running from Audubon at the Pennsy, heading north to Washington Street — seeing the many clever costumes and cheering on the kids is the best part of the festival. The grand finale will be the Black Hat Society’s witches dancing at the intersection. The winners of the costume contest and house decorating contest will be announced after the parade.
Many of the traditions that have evolved over the past 76 years of the Halloween Festival have been preserved, including the window painting by the kids in the neighborhood in the merchant windows, plus a Pumpkin Carving contest at 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of the Audubon and Pennsy. Local artisans and craftspeople will have space set up on Bonna and a Haunted Market at the Lodge at Johnson and Washington St. The Kid’s Zone is back at the Strangebird/Landlocked parking lot at South Audubon & Bonna Ave., where kids of all ages will find activities just for them. The Irvington Branch library will be closed for the festival.
During the festival, check out the Battle of the Bands taking place on the stage at Washington St. just past Audubon (different band every hour). The Beer Garden will be between Starbucks and Huntington Bank on Washington St. There will be an after-party for adults only from 6-midnight at the Irvington Event Center at 6767 E. Washington St. (tickets are $25 and available online before the event).
While you are at the Festival, please thank all the fantastic volunteers who are picking up trash, helping kids find their parents, and a million other things. The Historic Irvington Community Council, and the many Halloween Festival committee members work hard all year long to make this the best Halloween Festival week in the Midwest! For more details go to irvingtonhalloween.com
On Monday, Oct. 31, the real Halloween is celebrated, and trick or treat hours are set by the city. Indianapolis has set the hours to 6-8 p.m.
