To the Editor:

Come to Altamont and kick off your holiday celebrations with the whole family, including your four-footed family members! This year, the Altamont Community Tradition Annual Victorian Celebration will begin with a Howliday Pet Pawrade, and you are invited to take part.

You and your pets are invited to dress in your best holiday wear (Victorian garb or ugly holiday sweaters encouraged) and strut your stuff through our pet-friendly village. Dogs, cats, chickens, fish, no pet is excluded. No pets? Tag along (kids in costume make for great parades).

On Sunday, Dec. 15, we’ll meet and line up at the Masonic Temple at 138 Maple Ave. at 11:45 a.m. Our parade will be at noon, led by bagpiper John Scally, who will take us down Maple Avenue, to Jay Street, up Lincoln Avenue, up Main Street to Orsini Park for a lap around the park. Perhaps we’ll see Santa Paws (or Santa Claws), Gingerpet Man, or a Reindog in our parade!

Altamont Family Values has kindly donated a small prize for the costumed critter with the most holiday spirit (and bragging rights).

All social pets are welcome; a leash, pet carrier, or pet stroller is a must. We will parade on the village sidewalks for safety. Hope you can join in, and make your Victorian Holiday purrfect!

Meg Seinberg-Hughes

Altamont