To the Editor:
Growing up in the suburban sprawl of Long Island, I vividly recall sitting down to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each holiday season and commiserating with good ol’ Chuck —Christmas felt too commercialized.

Even as a child, I was a traditionalist and I longed for something closer to what I saw in those Norman Rockwell and Thomas Kinkade winter wonderland paintings. I knew there had to be a better holiday experience — something far removed from the strip malls and Black Friday sales.

Years later, after settling in Altamont, I knew I had finally found something special when my husband and I attended our first Victorian Holiday celebration. Now, the event has become a staple of our holiday season and something we look forward to every December.

Each year, the celebration offers traditional holiday fun — including a living Nativity scene, a holiday tree-lighting, and a visit from the man-in-red himself, Santa Claus! I love that there are also plenty of activities and events that are totally unique to Altamont, such as the Holiday House Tours that feature some of the beautiful Victorian homes in Altamont.

If you are looking to avoid crowded shopping centers while still looking to get some holiday shopping done, the Winter Market hosts local vendors with lots of one-of-a-kind products that would make perfect holiday gifts. Of course, if you work up an appetite while shopping, there are plenty of places in the village to stop for a bite to eat, including the Hungerford Market and Home Front Café.

The event, organized and hosted by Altamont Community Tradition gets bigger and better every year. Last year, my husband and I became board members of ACT, and we have really been enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at how the whole event comes together. It is truly a community effort, and is an event that brings a lot of happiness and pride to all involved.

The Victorian Holiday celebration this year is Sunday, Dec. 13, with most events and activities beginning around noon in locations throughout Maple Avenue and Main Street. Mark it on your calendars and be sure to come out for a quintessential holiday experience! I think our little village would do Charlie Brown proud; homegrown fun with family, friends and neighbors is what this season is all about.

For more information about the event, visit us on the web at www.altamontcommunitytradition.org

Katie Fahrenkopf

Altamont

Editor’s note: Katie Fahrenkopf is married to Nicholas Fahrenkopf, the newly appointed village trustee.