What a social revolution when the kids are invited to wield a soap bar on a business front." ("We Like This Halloween," Indianapolis Times, November 2, 1946, p. 8)
Thousands of spectators lined East Washington Street between Whittier Place and Audubon Road to watch a parade of 500 children dressed up in Halloween costumes on the evening of October 31, 1946. Although World War II had ended a year earlier, there were still shortages of various products including some soaps, but local business leaders were ready to start a new tradition that would be forever known as the Irvington Halloween Festival. It had been a rainy and cool Thursday, but the weather cleared long enough for the festivities to commence.
For years, Halloween night vandalism had plagued most American cities and towns. While most of the pranks were merely mischievous, there were always a few kids who took things too far. The most common act of vandalism involved bars of soap. Children--mainly teens--spent the evening soaping the windows of cars, businesses, and even homes prompting people to spend hours of time cleaning up the messes. Cities around the state looked for solutions and some like Irvington came up with an option. They invited children of all ages to "soap" windows along East Washington Street. Led by the Irvington Business Association, the organizers provided $500 in prize money. They also organized a big parade and invited city dignitaries to serve as judges.
In the window painting contest, Wayne Craven, an Arsenal Technical High School student, wowed the judges for two years in a row with his talented artistic renderings. Little David Peters, who lived at 312 North Layman Avenue, won first place for the younger kids. His brother Donald also produced some impressive art renderings. Their family proudly photographed their art throughout the late 1940s. Irvington was not the only community to host such an event as kids in Lebanon, Columbus, Franklin, and Rushville also painted windows and dressed up for a parade; however, Irvington has been the only community in the state to sustain the tradition year after year.
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| Eight-year-old David Peters of 312 North Layman Avenue painted Pinocchio and Figaro in 1947. He won a ribbon for his for his age division. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
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| David and Donald Peters of 312 North Layman Avenue participated in the window painting contest associated with the Irvington Halloween Festival throughout the second half of the 1940s. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
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| Children who painted the windows during the Irvington Halloween Festival frequently created images from cartoons popular at the time. Visible inside this business is a sign that says "Accessories." David Peters remembers painting this piece of art at the Chevrolet dealership located on the northwestern corner of East Washington Street and Ritter Avenue. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
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| Donald Peters of 312 North Layman Avenue painted Thumper the Rabbit c1947 (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
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| Bugs Bunny appeared in an Irvington window c1948. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
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| David Peters of 312 North Layman painted this scene for the Halloween window decorating competition as part of the Irvington Halloween Festival, c1948. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) |
I wish to thank the Peters family for their photos and stories.
Sources: Interviews with Douglas Peters, 2024; First Irvington Halloween Festival--Jack Shackleford, "500 Irvington Kids Dress up, Parade in Halloween Festival," Indianapolis Star, November 1, 1945, p. 1; "Prizes to Best Glass Soapers," Indianapolis News, October 17, 1946, p. 21; "$500 in Prizes for Best Soap Jobs," Indianapolis News, October 30, 1946, p. 1
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