Inaugural Military Appreciation Day is Saturday at the Altamont fairgrounds

ALTAMONT — Saturday will mark the first Military Appreciation Day, to be held at the Altamont fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., in support of local veterans’ causes.

The goal of the organizers — iLoVeterans, a new Capital Region not-for-profit  — is to raise $100,000 for a number of local groups that assist veterans.

Military Appreciation Day will feature a classic car display and review, a 120-foot inflatable obstacle course, bouncy houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, workshops, food, a DJ, live music, and more, said public relations coordinator Ben Golub of Gramercy Communications.

A motorcycle display and rodeo are also scheduled. More than 1,000 visitors are anticipated, Golub said.

The festival will also include a flag ceremony and a Watchfire — or very large ceremonial bonfire meant to honor all of those lost in United States military conflicts — where people can bring their old or worn American flags and have them retired properly. The Watchfire will take place at about 8:15 or 8:30 p.m., said organizer Douglas J. Bauer of iLoVeterans.

Military vehicles and equipment will be on display, and military ceremonies and events will be held throughout the day.

Admission is $7 for anyone over 12 years of age, and free for anyone 12 or under.

Local veterans’ groups that will benefit from the event include, Bauer said, the adaptive sports program at the Stratton Veterans Affairs Hospital in Albany; the Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company, which provides affordable housing for vets and runs a homeless shelter for women vets; the riding program for homeless and disabled vets at Victoria Acres Equine Facility in Guilderland; and Woofs for Warriors, which matches veterans with suitable shelter dogs.