Weekly View » Weekly View

This Week’s Issue: Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:00:51 +0000

80th Historic Irvington Halloween Festival

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:11:00 +0000

IRVINGTON — Started in 1946 after World War II, the Irvington business community decided to bring back a 1920’s tradition of a street dance and parade down Washington St. Over the years, the festival grew, evolved, and changed with the times. Now, the Historic Irvington Festival is in its 80th year, and it draws people from all over to celebrate Halloween for the whole week leading up to the Street Fair.
On Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., venture out to Irving Circle Park (South Audubon) for spooky stories and a special performance by the Black Hat Society of Irvington witches. There will be beverages from the SNUG, and lots of fun. Admission is free.
On Friday, Oct. 30, the Zombie Bike Ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Irvington Library, 5625 E. Washington St. All bikes will need a bike light and helmets. Dress up like the undead, deck out your ride, and have fun riding the streets of Irvington while residents wave and cheer you on! This is a free event.
This year, the festival’s Street Fair will be held on Halloween day, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. East Washington St. will be closed between Ritter and Arlington, and Audubon will also be closed from University to Lowell beginning at 4 a.m. Residents will have access to their homes, but will not be allowed to park on the streets. This year, the Street Fair will close an hour earlier than usual so families can go home and get ready for trick-or-treating (6-8 p.m. in Indianapolis).
The Vampire Run begins at 9:30 a.m., taking runners through Irvington (watch out for road closures). The Street Fair begins at 10 a.m., as well as the Canine Costume Contest registration (until 11 a.m.), in person registration for the human Costume Contest (until 11:30 a.m.).
Check out the wrestling show at 11 a.m. in the Kid Zone (behind the library), and the Little Bat Dash at 11:30 a.m. At noon, there will be a Cackling Contest on the Family Stage. There is a lot to see and do until the Awards for Costumes, Window Painting, and House Decorating contests are announced from the Main Stage.
The line-up for the parade will be at 3 p.m. in front of the Irvington Methodist Church, and it will run south on Audubon at 3:30 p.m. This is really the highlight of the festival, with lots of great costumes and bands. The Street Fair ends at 4 p.m. so everyone can get home and get ready for the trick-or-treating!
While you’re at the street fair, check out the fabulous businesses along East Washington St. There are a lot of food options at the fair, and our local merchants would appreciate your business!
Early weather reports show temperatures in the low 70s, and no rain for the 31st.

Leaf Pickup Season Begins Nov. 9

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:10:58 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — This year’s leaf season will start on Monday, Nov. 9 and end Friday, Dec. 4.
Leaves should be left out in bags placed three to five feet away from your trash cart. Up to 40 bags of leaves can be left out at once. Paper bags are accepted but not recommended due to potential wet weather.
Crews will collect leaves and trash at different times. Leaves that need to be collected before the start of leaf season should be left in your usual trash cart.
During the week of Thanksgiving, trash and leaf collections will follow a slide schedule on Thursday and Friday (Thanksgiving and the day after). This is the only planned slide schedule during the four-week window.
It is illegal to burn leaves in the city. Violators can face fines of up to $2,000. Smoke from leaf fires can cause serious health issues in vulnerable people, as well as getting out of control and causing house fires.

Founders Awards Bestowed Oct. 25

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:10:48 +0000

IRVINGTON — The annual Founders Awards were given out at a ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Bonna Thompson Memorial Center. This year’s recipients were:
• Hampton and Company (Adam Hampton and Carter McCammon): Honored for business advocacy, community generosity, founding Irvington Pride, and fostering diversity.
• Sue Kennedy: Recognized for extensive local volunteering, generosity, and library branch stewardship.
• Andrea DeMink: Acknowledged for contributions to the Historic Irvington Community Council and Halloween Festival.
• Dani Roth: Commended for community beautification efforts and work with Friends of Irving.
• Paula Sweazey: Celebrated for ongoing community generosity and diverse volunteer work.
The awards are given to volunteers, businesses, and neighborhood leaders who help make Irvington a great place to live.

Intersection of 10th & Rural to Close For a Month

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:10:02 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The intersection of 10th and Rural streets is expected to close on or after Monday, Nov. 2 for approximately four weeks as crews relocate water mains for an Indianapolis Department of Public Works streetscape project.
During the closure, north-south traffic will be detoured via N. Sherman Drive, while east-west traffic will be detoured via Michigan Street. Local access to nearby homes and businesses will be maintained.
The streetscape project is a $19.2 million infrastructure and safety initiative that will reconfigure 10th and Rural to calm traffic and improve safety. They will be adding a 20 foot multi-use path on the north side of the street, upgrade sidewalks, and plant trees, as well as upgrade street lighting. Construction on the project is expected to end near the end of 2027. The project runs on 10th St. from Tecumseh to Rural, and on Rural from 10th to St. Clair.

Stroke Support Group Discusses the Healing Power of Gratitude

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:09:51 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Franciscan Health Indianapolis Stroke Support Group will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 in the Cancer Center Conference Room to discuss the healing power of gratitude. Chaplain Ed Isakson from Franciscan Health’s spiritual care services team will lead the group.
Attendees will also create gratitude luminaries, decorative crafts made by writing items one is thankful for onto translucent vellum paper, rolling it into a cylinder and placing a lighted object inside.
As part of the ongoing series of Stroke Support Group gatherings, attendees gain insights from knowledgeable speakers and talk with others who are coping with the effects of stroke. A facilitated discussion will take place after the presentation.
Franciscan Health medical experts including physicians, nurses, speech therapists, occupational therapists and social workers are also part of the Stroke Support Group.
The Cancer Center Conference Room is located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave. in Indianapolis.
Attendees should use Entrance 4, take the elevator to the second floor, turn left and enter the first door on the left. Stroke Center staff will be available to guide attendees to the conference room.
Those with questions can contact Laura Williams at: Laura.Williams2@FranciscanAlliance.org or call 317-528-8872.

Epilogue Players Present “My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War”

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:09:48 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Epilogue Players will present their next show the Indiana Premiere of My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War by Paul Stroili directed by Catherine Mobley which will run Nov. 12-22. Thursday-Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays start at 2 p.m.
The story follows Izzy Campbell, a Michigan matriarch whose history buff husband Freddy dreamed of staging a fullscale reenactment of the Michigan–Ohio War. After a bizarre papier mâché accident leaves her widowed, Izzy calls in her Wolverine daughter and Buckeye son to help bring Freddy’s vision to life. The result is a “historical becomes hysterical” mix of family rivalries, football culture, and the fight over the Toledo strip. The play uses the real 19th century border dispute as a lens to explore love, loyalty, and the messy dynamics of family life. Content warning: Contains language and sexual innuendos and references that some might find offensive.
Tickets are General Admission, $20, Seniors 65+, Students 18 & Under, Veterans, $18 and Thursday Performances (Everyone) are $15
Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance start times. Patrons will not normally be allowed entrance after a performance begins to avoid distraction to the performers and audience members. Tickets are available online at epilogueplayers.com

Applause!: Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:09:38 +0000

• Federal observers are coming to Indiana’s Marion and Lake counties on Election Day as voters areas cast their votes. Marion County election board members have already approved a “poll worker response protocol. The document offers step-by-step guidance for several hypothetical scenarios involving DOJ monitors and other federal representatives.
• On Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., there will be a presentation by Don Flick, “Irvington: The First Three Years, 1870–1873.” Don Flick is an architect, local historian, and Irvington Historical Society board member. The event will take place at the Irvington Historical Society, 5350 University Ave.
• The scariest thing about this Halloween isn’t necessarily the costumes and the haunted houses — it’s the price of candy for trick-or-treaters! Candy prices have soared due to chocolate and cocoa due to poor weather in West Africa, plus tariffs and increased shipping expenses. Maybe it could be time for alternative gifts for the kids, like glow sticks, small toys, or even a quarter dropped in their bags. We know someone who put used children’s books in the bags and the kids in the neighborhood loved it!
• Save the date: The City of Indianapolis will present their 60% design plans for 10th St. between Emerson and Arlington on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 7-8 p.m. at 1525 N. Ritter Ave. in the chapel. The project was inspired by Community Heights’ successful tactical urbanism project in 2023 that was very successful.
• The Museum of 20th Century Warfare will present a temporary display of militaria from collector volunteers on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in building 710 at Fort Ben State Park. The display will be of World War 1 (the Great War) uniforms, equipment and weapons used by many of the nationalities that fought in the conflict. State park gate fees apply, but admission to the museum is free. The park is located at 5900 Post Rd.
• The former Ransburg YMCA on Shortridge has been listed for sale for $3.25 million. The building is 53,815 square feet and sits on 8.9 acres.
• You can vote at early voting satellite centers throughout the city — they will be open on this Saturday and Sunday. You can also vote early at the City-County Building until noon on Monday. On election day, 182 vote centers will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit vote.indy.gov/vote-centers to find one near you. Please get out and exercise your franchise!
• Every Sunday, Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 401 N. Delaware St. offers a free, hot, dine-in lunch from noon-1 p.m. courtesy of the church’s food ministry, Soup’s On!

On Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time ends when we all FALL BACK and get an extra hour of sleep!

Scammers on the Loose in County

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:09:36 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Dept. of Business and Neighborhood Services have become aware of several fraudulent schemes impersonating City departments and personnel. All permit types may be impacted.
If you are applying for or currently hold a permit, please be cautious when receiving messages requesting payment or personal information.
Here are a few important reminders:
• Verify payment requests through the Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal or by contacting DBNS directly.
• Be cautious of suspicious messages requesting wire transfers or other forms of payment.
• Verify communications before taking action. Official City email communications will come from an indy.gov account.
• When in doubt, contact DBNS using contact information from a trusted source before responding or sending payment.

Al Hunter featured on Kevin Friedly’s Podcast

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:09:26 +0000

IRVINGTON — Popular Indianapolis podcaster Kevin Friedly recently featured a discussion with the Weekly View’s columnist, historian and author Alan Hunter at the Irving Theatre. He discussed Irvington ghosts and history, and it was a great show! You can listen to it yourself by following the link https://radioforthepeople.com/Irvington/Season7-Episode1
Hunter is the author of Haunted Indianapolis, Bumps in the Night. Stories from the Weekly View, and Irvington Haunts. The Tour Guide. He has led the Irvington Ghost Tours every October for decades along with his wife Rhonda, leading hundreds of people through the streets of Irvington, telling the stories of notable (and notorious) people who have called the area home. In addition, Hunter is a Lincoln scholar, and has published books on fellow scholars such as Osborn H. Oldroyd: Keeper of the Lincoln Flame and Thursdays with Doc. Recollections on Springfield & Lincoln.
The last Ghost Tour of this year will be on Friday, Oct. 30 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Irving Theatre. Cost is $20 per person (cash only) and arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour.