Irvington Halloween Festival, 1979

      The Irvington Halloween Festival has been ongoing since 1946. Generations have now participated in many of the events including window painting and pumpkin carving. In 1979, the festival was still relatively small. Vendors set up their booths along the sidewalks while busy Washington Street remained open. The commercial corridor in the neighborhood had been struggling by the 1970s. As Eastgate and Washington Square Malls lured folks away, the business owners in Irvington did their best to stay. Some like Chaille Shoes were beloved. Others were reviled. The Festival Theater (now known by its historic name, the Irving) attempted to open that summer as a pornographic cinema. The city temporarily shut it down, but that battle which involved vice raids and court injunctions was just beginning. Some storefronts were empty. Despite both the economic woes of the nation with severe stagflation, and the problems along East Washington Street, festival organizers pulled together the event for October 27, 1979. If you recognize anyone in these images, drop me an email located on the side of this blog. 

Vendors in front of Mert's Sporting Goods at 5642 East Washington Street, Irvington Halloween Festival, October 27, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Patrons in front of the Indiana Barber College at 5536 East Washington Street (later demolished), Irvington Halloween Festival, October 27, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Vendors set up their booths on October 27, 1979, at the intersection of Johnson Avenue and East Washington Street. The sign for the infamous pornographic Festival Theater (now the Irving) can be seen in the background. (Irvington Historical Society)

Guests browse a booth near Phil's Experienced Furniture at 5519 East Washington Street on October 27, 1979. (Irvington Historical Society)

Wonderful photo showing the many businesses in the 5600 block of East Washington Street on the morning of the Halloween Festival, October 27, 1979. (Irvington Halloween Festival)

A child participates in the window painting competition at the Irvington Cafe, formerly located at 5533 East Washington Street. That building still stands although greatly altered from its look in 1979. (Irvington Historical Society) 

Window Painting, A La Cheri Beauty Shop at 5618 East Washington Street, Irvington Halloween Festival, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Irvington Halloween Festival, Audubon Barber Shop, 5636 East Washington Street, 1979 (Irvington Halloween Festival)

Irvington Halloween Festival in front of the Indiana Barber College at 5536 East Washington Street, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Window Painting in front of Dave's Tire and Auto Service at 5606 East Washington Street, October 27, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Ladies near a booth on Johnson Avenue on October 27, 1979. You can see some buildings that have since been torn down in the 5500 block of East Washington Street and Layman Avenue. (Irvington Historical Society)

Irvington Halloween Festival in front of 5534 East Washington Street, October 27, 1979 (Irvington Historical Society)

Two people film the Irvington Halloween Festival, October 27, 1979. Behind them you can see the Salvation Army Thrift Store that formerly sat at 5639 East Washington Street. (Irvington Historical Society)

Irvington Halloween Festival preparation, October 27, 1979 in front of United Hardware Store at 5648 East Washington Street (Irvington Historical Society)

Sources:  Polk's Indianapolis City Directories, 1977-1980; "Court Orders Adult Theater to Close," Indianapolis News, July 19, 1979, p. 45