Tag Archives: Halloween

Discover Irvington: Where History, Community, and Halloween Magic Come Together

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There is something special about a neighborhood that embraces its history, celebrates its traditions, and brings people together year after year. On the east side of Indianapolis, Irvington is exactly that kind of place. And nowhere is its personality more evident than during the annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival.

A Halloween Tradition 80 Years in the Making

Halloween isn’t just another holiday in Irvington. It’s practically a way of life!

In 2026, the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival celebrates its 80th edition, continuing a beloved tradition that brings residents, local businesses, families, and visitors together for a week of festivities.

This year’s celebration is scheduled for October 24–31, 2026, culminating in the Halloween Street Fair and Parade on Saturday, October 31. Festival traditions include costume contests, spooky entertainment, Halloween-themed activities, the Vampire Run, and a street fair featuring vendors, live music, and plenty of creative costumes.

What makes this festival so wonderful isn’t simply the activities. It’s watching an entire neighborhood come together to celebrate something that has connected generations of Indianapolis families.

Discover the Charm of Historic Irvington

Long before Halloween decorations appear, Irvington has plenty to offer.

Established in the 1800s, Irvington is one of Indianapolis’s most distinctive historic neighborhoods. Its beautiful older homes, mature trees, sidewalks, local shops, and architectural character create an atmosphere that is increasingly difficult to find.

Take a walk through Irvington, and you’ll discover charming bungalows, Craftsman-style homes, and impressive historic residences. No two streets feel exactly alike, and that’s part of the appeal.

The neighborhood is also home to locally owned restaurants, neighborhood businesses, arts organizations, and treasured landmarks such as the historic Benton House.

Irvington has maintained something many communities work hard to create: a genuine sense of neighborhood identity.

More Than a Festival — It’s a Community

As a Realtor, I have always believed that buying a home is about much more than the house itself. It’s about finding a place where you feel connected, comfortable, and excited to build memories.

Irvington is a wonderful example of that philosophy.

The Halloween Festival reflects the pride residents take in their community. Neighbors decorate their homes, local businesses participate, volunteers give their time, and families return year after year to enjoy the celebration.

It’s the kind of tradition that reminds us why neighborhoods matter.

And while Halloween may be Irvington’s most famous celebration, its historic character, community involvement, and neighborhood businesses make it worth discovering throughout the year.

Could Irvington Be Your Next Home?

For homebuyers who appreciate architectural character, established neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community, Irvington deserves a closer look.

Whether you’re drawn to a cozy bungalow, a beautifully maintained historic home, or simply the idea of living somewhere with personality and tradition, Irvington offers a distinctive Indianapolis living experience.

And if you’ve never attended the Halloween Festival, I encourage you to put it on your calendar. Walk the neighborhood, visit the local businesses, admire the homes, and experience the community for yourself.

You might come for the Halloween festivities and discover a neighborhood you’d love to call home.

I love what I do! Whether you’re buying or selling a home, I get to help you figure out how to love where you live so you can focus on living.

Vicki Reed | VLR Realty Group at Keller Williams

For festival information and schedules, visit www.irvingtonhalloween.com.

Thinking of Selling in the Spring?

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You do realize that if that’s you, you need to think about how you do your final yard clean-up to insure you are ready to go in February/March – before you even get the mower out of the garage!  I know, I know February/March seems early to be part of the “spring selling season”, but that’s when homes start hitting the market and if you are thinking of selling, you need to be ready!

I would love to work with you!  Let’s talk…we can look at a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and see where you are falling now, look at what projects you can work on this winter will increase your homes value and then look at the numbers again in February and get it going!  Now…about that fall clean-up…

Proper fall yard maintenance lowers the risk of plant diseases next spring. Raking the lawn ensures your grass won’t smother under a burden of fallen leaves. Of course, fall yard maintenance means winterizing: putting your plants to bed properly, all the hard work on those perinnials can pay off when spring has sprung and your yard is in bloom.

What needs doing in the fall yard before you can call it a year and start relaxing? Well, it would almost be easier to ask what does not need doing. You have your work cut out for you, especially if you have a big lawn. There’s more to fall landscaping than decorating for the Holidays. Consult this checklist to make sure your yard is in proper shape before the snow starts falling!

Beginners have some vague notion of having to “put the lawn and garden to bed” for the winter, but they are foggy on the specifics. This resource answers some commonly posed queries about fall yard maintenance. For example, how deep into fall do you have to continue mowing? What about watering your grass in fall?

Think about it, when you own a home, you always want anything you do to add value…what better way to make a good first impression as to have the best curb appeal…even in the winter.  Call me…let’s talk!

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Vicki Reed

Is your home haunted?

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My grandparents home is!  My Dad has recounted stories of when he was a teenager and sitting at the kitchen table and an old man in a sweater walked up where stairs had been prior to a 1950’s era reno that moved the stairs to the upstairs to the living room!  And then not to many years ago, he was visiting my grandparents and they were standing in the living room and a hand print appeared on the back of the loveseat next to the window and the curtain moved out of the way, like someone was leaning to look out the window!

My Grandmother routinely swore that her brother Albert was also there, she would see him leaning against the door jamb like he had done when he visited, one night after a bathroom visit, she literally ran into – well, I guess that would be through – him in the hallway on her way back to bed!  Bear in mind, Albert was killed in WW2 and buried in France!

There is an article in today’s Indianapolis Star, “3 haunted destinations in Midwest offer scary good times” offering an idea for a weekend getaway (click here for the article), the locations are Alton Illinois , Bardstown Kentucky and Marietta Ohio.  If that’s your idea of fun, looks like it could be a great time!

But what about Indy?  There are schools, bridges and of course Crown Hill Cemetary, but here are 3 that seem to show up on everyone’s list of REAL Haunted Houses:

Hannah House

Built by local farmer and politician Alexander Hannah in 1858, this south side manor maintains a prominent place in Indianapolis‘s storied past. A Historic Landmark, the Hannah House was a safe haven for escaping slaves as part of the Underground Railroad. This designation also plays into its reputation as a hotbed of paranormal activity, as an undocumented fire purportedly claimed the lives of several refugees one fateful night. The spirits of those victims, and of Hannah himself, are said to roam the corridors of the estate. The Hannah House is open to the public and even offers the chance to stay overnight and do a little ghost sleuthing…if you dare!

Central State Hospital

Originally christened the “Indiana Hospital for the Insane,” Central State Hospital opened its doors in 1848. From a single building housing five patients, Central State grew into a veritable campus where thousands of patients were treated for various ailments, both mental and physical. At its height in the middle of the 20th century, Central State encompassed nearly 100 acres, with two main buildings, several peripheral treatment centers, and enough businesses to have formed its own town. Not surprisingly, given the nature of its existence, the grounds of Central State Hospital, located on the near west side of Indy, is reportedly ripe with ghostly happenings.

The House of Blue Lights

Located on the city’s east side, the House of Blue Lights was an estate owned by Skiles Test, and it was the subject of many spooky tales involving caskets, dogs, cats, misty blue lights, and other goodies! Although the house is long gone now, much of the property remains as it was during the heyday of these stories, and is home to the Skiles Test nature park. The Test grave is also a popular ghostly destination in nearby Crown Hill cemetery.

Do you believe???  Or are you like me and the thought scares the bejeezus out of you?

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Vicki Reed

Historic Irvington Halloween Festival…

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Indy is just full of fun communities to call home, since this past spring when I helped my friend Kate buy her new home in Irvington, I’ve found myself spending more time in the area and exploring the many restaurants and shops in the are and am even considering a move to the area in the future!  Kate kept mentioning the Halloween Festival and I finally had to find out what it was all about…this is from their website:

For over 60 years, the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival has brought together thousands of residents, dozens of neighborhood organizations, and countless Eastside businesses in a fun-filled celebration of our heritage and community. The festival and its associated events are designed to bring awareness to the community, to bring commerce to local business and sponsors, and to provide fun for the children of Irvington and Indianapolis. The celebration now encompasses a week of events including a 5 mile run, a scholarship pageant, musicians, contests, Halloween-themed movies, storytelling, ghost tours, live theater, roller derby, a haunted puppet show and dozens of other events.

The Irvington Halloween Festival is organized by the Historic Irvington Community Council, a 501(c)3 organization that provides a voice to the city on Irvington issues such as public services, zoning and works to improve the community and the lives of its residents.

A Brief History of Irvington

Irvington was founded by Jacob Julian and Sylvester Johnson, who developed 300 acres into residential plots four miles east of Indianapolis. Named after 19th century writer Washington Irving, Irvington was annexed by the city of Indianapolis in 1902. Western Christian University (now Butler University) relocated to Irvington in 1873 and stayed there until 1928.

The neighborhood is situated on Washington Street, which is the route of the historic National Road, a National Scenic Byway. US 40 was formerly routed along the road. Through the early 1900s, a commuter rail/trolley system ran from Irvington to downtown Indianapolis along US 40. Ideally located just 10 minutes East of downtown Indianapolis, Irvington is a strong and growing community of quaint and magnificent homes located on tree-lined historic streets. Successful restaurants, coffee shops, retailers and parks all contribute to Irvington’s charm. The Irvington community is founded on strong ties to its historic past and is a great place to raise a family.

So if you are looking for something fun to do this week, check this out!

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Vicki Reed

Scary movies…’tis the season…

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Yes, it’s Halloween…haunted houses, costumes and scary movies!  One of my favorite “scary” movies is getting an airing on the big screen!  On October 26th and 27th the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin will be airing…The Ghost and Mr. Chicken starring Don Knotts!!!  Such a classic!  Tickets are only $5.00 (2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and concession deals are great at the Artcraft – make it an inexpensive outing and visit this great theatre in the heart of downtown Franklin.