Recently, the Times Union identified Altamont as one of the area’s hidden-gems, one of those special places in the capital area worthy of a visit.  The Altamont fairgrounds, home to the 122-year-old Altamont Fair; the Altamont Archives and Museum with its trove of documents, photos, and ephemera about the village’s history; the nationally famous Home Front Café; and our newest elegant restaurant Mio Vino, all were mentioned as examples that make a trip to Altamont well worth the effort.

Certainly, these village places draw interest, and rightfully so.  The charm and beauty of our village does not go without notice to the most casual passerby.  Our village streetscapes and public gardens are a tribute to the meticulous work of our department of public works staff and our garden volunteers.  All community members demonstrate great pride in their properties and play a critical part in making this municipality such a bright and welcoming spot in the capital area.

I hope you enjoyed the strawberry social this week sponsored by Altamont Community Tradition.  For more than a decade, ACT’s community organization has done much to celebrate our community’s cultural and historic heritage.  The strawberry social is the unofficial beginning of the summer season, an introduction to the many activities planned this summer in the village.

Village Archives on track

Take a trip to the Altamont Village Archives collection when you get a chance.  Learn more about upcoming exhibitions on the archives’ Facebook page.  Coming in July, a new hallway exhibit, “Speed: Dirt Track Racing at the Altamont Fairgrounds,” is scheduled to be open July 13 to Aug. 28.

This exhibition, not to be missed, is drawn from a recent donation by Edwin Bradt of Altamont from his collection of memorabilia, photographs, and objects covering dirt-track racing, from 1937 to 1945.  Some of the racing records set on Altamont’s dirt track remains today.

Ed lived and breathed the sport in his childhood, and had firsthand experiences and companionship from the racecar drivers, who stayed in his childhood home during the racing season.  A companion exhibit, drawn from the same collection, will be held in the Farm House Museum during Fair Week.

Concerts and films in the park                         

The Altamont Free Library recently announced that, with the support from the village, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and other generous donors, it will once again host a series of six free Tuesday evening concerts in Orsini Park.  The first concert will be on June 30 and the season will run through Aug. 4.  There will be a varied lineup with some returning groups and some new groups.  Featured styles will be bluegrass, popular, folk, jazz, county, and swing.

The Altamont Free Library will host a special evening on July 14 to spotlight and thank our ambulance volunteers, firefighter volunteers, and police force.  The featured group that evening will be the ever-popular Rusticator.  All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, events will be held in the pavilion at the Benjamin M. Crupe Bozenkill Park.  The library encourages everyone to come early, grab a meal, dessert, or snack from the local eateries and enjoy the evening, music, and good company.  Further information is available on the library website, on Facebook, and in the library column in The Enterprise.

The Altamont Fire Department and its auxiliary will host family movies in Orsini Park on Fridays July 10, July 24, Aug. 7, and Aug. 21, to round out the summer fun in the park.

Farmers’ markets

The village will host the Farmers’ Market starting in July again this year at the Altamont Free Library train-station grounds.  Altamont Orchards and Fort Hunter Farms will offer fresh vegetables and fruits Thursdays through Tuesdays of each week.

On Tuesdays, Longfield Farms will offer artisan breads, pastured eggs, free-range chicken, and items produced on the farm including fiber art.  The village will sponsor an Expanded Farmers’ Market on Saturday, July 25, and Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fun on the Bozenkill  

The Bozenkill Summer Camp will begin on June 29 and continue through Aug. 7 for children between the ages of 6 and 14.  There is a fee of $50 per child per week.  Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Activities will include swimming, games and sport activities.

Swim lessons are being offered to children ages 3 and up.  Our staff will offer five lessons for a fee of $25.

Adult water aerobics will be hosted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. starting June 23 until Aug. 6, also for a fee of $25 for the night classes.

Wednesday Night Volleyball will begin on June 24.  There is no fee; just show up and play with other interested residents on a sand court.

The Crupe Bozenkill Camp staff will host a family fun night on Wednesday, July 29.  Bring a picnic dinner and join in some old-fashioned family games.  More information and registration forms are available on the village website.

Quasquicentennial

Be on the lookout this fall for a special event.  October will be the Quasquicentennial anniversary of the village’s incorporation, and our museum and archives is planning a special exhibition, “Remembrance: Select Images of the Memorial Windows in Altamont’s Churches.”   A remembrance brochure on the exhibit will be available.

Enjoy the summer and this beautiful village.  Please check our website:  AltamontVillage.org, call our office at 861-8554, ext.10, or write me a note at [email protected] if you have questions about our summer activities or village services.