INDIANAPOLIS — On Saturday, September 21, Irvington Development Organization (IDO) will celebrate Irvington’s National Road heritage and the achievement of long-awaited milestones this year in the Washington Corridor Streetscape Project with “It’s A Great Day in Irvington.” Paired with IDO’s annual evening fundraiser, “A Night Out in Irvington,” the event will be an opportunity for residents of the tight-knit, historic eastside community to express their civic pride.
”Of course, we believe it’s always a great day in Irvington, but this day will be especially so,” said Margaret Lawrence-Banning, executive director of IDO. “The whole community has worked so hard for so long on the Streetscape project, and we really need to celebrate the fruits of our labor.”
The celebration begins at 4 p.m. in front of Ossip Optometry, 5606 E. Washington St., with formal dedications of the Streetscape Project’s Phase I improvements and the new interpretive panel commemorating Irvington’s connection with the National Road. The ceremony will feature speeches from City of Indianapolis and Indiana government officials, an update on IDO’s proudest achievements of the past year, and a small reception to follow. The event is free, open to the public and will last approximately an hour.
“The interpretive panel we’re unveiling on September 21 tells the story of the National Road, America’s first major highway, and Irvington’s proud role in this unique ribbon of history,” Lawrence-Banning said. “The National Road, later known as U.S. 40 or Washington Street here in Indianapolis, has brought an abundance of travelers and commerce to Irvington over the years. So, its history and the history of our community are somewhat intertwined.”
At 5 p.m., “A Great Day in Irvington” will adjourn to a roaring reception and silent auction at the Irvington Wellness Center, 17 N. Layman St., officially kicking off “A Night Out in Irvington.” This event is hosted annually by an Irvington business and highlights the community at its best. Attendees are invited to enjoy catered appetizers with local microbrewed beer and wine to the soundtrack of live jazz and ragtime music. The silent auction will offer a number of eclectic items donated by various merchants throughout the greater Indianapolis area.
“For the past two years we’ve hosted “A Night Out in Irvington” as our annual fundraiser, and it’s been a big success,” Lawrence-Banning said. Since this event and the dedication ceremony fell around the same time of year, we wanted to pair them up and make a day of it. Everyone is welcome to spend the evening hours after the auction with us, enjoying Irvington’s most-loved dining and entertainment venues.”
The reception and silent auction is an Eventbrite ticketed event. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The funds raised at this event will benefit IDO’s projects, including Phase II of the Streetscape Project and the renovation of the former Irvington Post office. For more information on the event or IDO, contact Margaret Lawrence Banning at margaret@irvingtondevelopment.org or 317-260-0669.