Every Hoosier Should Visit The Oldest Halloween Festival In Indiana This Month
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published October 24, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
What began more than 90 years ago in one of the state’s more historic neighborhoods has become the oldest Halloween festival in Indiana. Taking place on the southeast side of Indianapolis, this long-running event is full of fun activities the whole family will love.
From coffin races to Jack-O-Lanterns to scarecrows, this community fair is a week-long event you won’t want to miss. Scroll on for all the details.
Taking place the last full week of October, the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival is celebrating its 72nd year. It is the largest and one of the longest running fall fairs in the state bringing together thousands of Hoosiers and an array of organizations and vendors.
This event began in 1927 but did not occur consecutively as different organizations and groups took charge. As of 1974, the Irvington Community Council runs the event and has made it what it is today.
This incredible event lasts more than a week in order to accommodate all the fun activities. There are specific events that run on certain days, and some are taking place as we speak.
The main activity that kicks off Indiana's oldest Halloween festival is the charity costume ball, which took place this year on October 20, 2018. Guests enjoy dressing up and dawning a mask at this eerie dance.
Additional events that have taken place thus far are the silent auction, a spooky organ concert, a haunted puppet show, and a night of seances.
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Don't worry, though. There is still plenty of time to enjoy this unique Halloween-themed event. Enjoy a Sleepy Hollow-themed night on October 25, 2018 and a spooky spaghetti supper the following day. Also on October 26, guests can dress up and participate in the Zombie Bike Ride.
On October, 27, 2018, there will be a Vampire Run. This five-mile race event includes a three-mile walk and a mini race for children. That same day will also be the Indy Grimo Coffin Race where contestants build their own creepy coffin cars to race down the road.
This week of Halloween fun culminates in the annual street fair that will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 27. Later in the evening, there will be an after party that features live music.
In addition to fun activities, there are also a slew of contests to challenge locals. Window painting, house decorating, scarecrow decorating, writing, and human and canine costume contests take place throughout the week.
The best competition is the pumpkin carving contest. Participants are to bring their pre-carved gourds to Irving Circle Park to be judged and admired. The best part is seeing them all lit up at night.
Other fun activities featured throughout this week of Halloween fun include a scholarship pageant, storytelling, ghost tours, and live theatre performances. The Historic Irvington Halloween Festival has been a Hoosier Halloween tradition for more than 70 years, and you don't want to miss it this week.
If you’ve ever been to Indiana’s oldest Halloween festival, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
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