To the Editor:

Altamont Community Tradition is hosting its annual Victorian Holiday Celebration and Winter Market again this year on Sunday, Dec. 11, from noon to 5 p.m. throughout the historic village of Altamont.

This year is bigger and better than ever! The event features a Holiday House Tour with sightseers riding a free trolley, a Winter Market with over 25 vendors and more vendors throughout the village, a silent wreath auction,the  Festival of Trees, a children's gingerbread display, kids’ crafts with Mrs. Red Shoes, and face painting.

Also: a children’s luncheon with Santa, a treasure hunt with prizes for kids, a dog and cat holiday costume contest, our first Victorian beard and mustache contest, organ music, an art quilt raffle, storytelling, delicious food — including a pig roast, a petting zoo, a bonfire, holiday-themed photo-ops, hayrides, a living Nativity, Santa arriving at 5 by train, and so so much more! Get all the details at altamontcommunitytradition.org.

For something different this year, we are organizing our first Victorian beard and mustache competition sponsored by Roosevelt Grooming Company. Do you know anyone that is interested in participating? Let him know! Registration runs from 2 to 2:45 p.m. with free and easy sign-up at the village hall. The event takes place at 3 p.m. at Village Hall.

Local barbers will judge the event with prizes between $25 and $100 in four categories: Grand Prize (determined by judges’ vote), First Prize (determined by judges’ vote and audience applause), Most Accurate Depiction of a Historical or Famous Beard, and Best Creative Use of Mustache or Beard as a Medium of Artistic Expression.

And for all those who cannot grow a mustache or beard, there is a crafts table to create your own or you can bring your own creation — for an honorable mention. It’s just a fun event to bring bearded people together.

Madeline LaMountain, trustee

Altamont Village Board