IRVINGTON — On Saturday, May 10, special events to Celebrate Irvington are set at venues throughout the community located at about 5500 East Washington from 10-4. The day will feature local musicians, an alternative gift fair, sidewalk sales, special menus, Irvington authors local artists and exhibitions from not-for-profit community organizations and more.
Founded in 1870, and home to Butler University for over fifty years, Irvington revels in its history. A special feature this year will be the distribution of new maps of walking and biking trails which highlight the history, nature and public art throughout the community. Learn about Irvington history on a bicycle tour led by local historian Paul Diebold, author of Greater Irvington: Architecture, People, and Places on the Indianapolis Eastside. The tour leaves from Indy Cycle (5808 E. Washington) at 10:30. Limited to 35 riders, there is no charge for the bike ride.
Locally focused organizations will set up booths along Washington Street and Johnson Avenue to describe their missions and activities in the community. Groups exhibiting include the Benton House, the Friends of Irving Circle, the Historical Irvington Community Council, the Irvington Garden Club, Downey Avenue Christian Church, the Irvington Development Organization, and many more.
Celebrate Irvington also celebrates the arts in the community. 5547 Project (5547 East Bonna Avenue) will feature local artists and painting demonstrations. At 1 p.m., Bookmamas (9 South Johnson) will feature Irvington authors Julie Young author of Fifteen Minutes of Fame and Historic Irvington, Sherri Wood Emmons, author of The Sometimes Daughter and The Weight Of Small Things, and Thomas Black, author of Death Mode and Fresh Kills. Q Artistry will present previews of upcoming shows in their theater located at 5515 E. Washington at 11 a.m. Local musicians will also play throughout the area. Gordon Bonham and Jim Richter will entertain at Retulled (5606 East Washington) from noon-2 p.m. Delta Duo and their friends the Tangents, Dave Salamone, Donn Smith and Michael Glenn Bell will play in the Underground 9 Studio at Bookmamas starting at 3 p.m.
For the younger set, the library (5626 E. Washington) features face painting from 1:30 – 3:30. Roll With it Bakery (5539 E. Washington) and Wyliepalooza Ice Cream Emporium (5532 E. Washington) offer child friendly treats. Sidewalk chalk drawing is available on the sidewalk outside Bookmamas throughout the day.
Other food treats include a food truck on Johnson Avenue, a farmers market from 10 a.m.-noon on Johnson Avenue, the Legend Classic Irvington Cafe (5614 E. Washington), Jockamos Pizza (5646 E. Washington) and Black Acre Brewery (5632 E. Washington). Dufours (5648 E. Washington) will feature a “Mimosa and Music” afternoon with a special menu.
Shoppers can explore the many retail venues in Irvington, including the Alternative Gift Fair, organized by Irvingtonians Martine Locke and Jamie Price, which features locally produced hand made specialties at the Irving Theater (5505 E. Washington) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be a collection for grooming items for needy women at the Alternative Gift Fair. All the stores along Washington, Johnson, South Audubon, and Bonna Ave. will be open, and many will offer sidewalk sales. The Irvington Garden Club will be selling 12 species of Indiana native wildflowers from 9 a.m. to noon in front of at Bookmama’s— just in time for Mother’s Day (May 11).
