To the Editor:
When you put on an outdoor event, you become an obsessive weather watcher. This year, we saw the cold, snowy day creep ever closer and wondered briefly if we should change our plans for WinterFest. It didn’t help that volunteers were dropping from the many viruses circulating in the community. A flurry of calls and emails and Altamont Community Tradition decided to hold firm. We do, after all, live in the Northeast and winter happens!

The first snow of the year is always magical, and this was a special day. Everyone will have their own memories, whether it was walking behind our own village bagpiper in the largest Pet Parade ever, winning a coveted prize in the raffle, or participating in the living Nativity.

Others were grateful for mini donuts and seeing Santa and his elves mingle in the crowd or riding on a beautiful carriage pulled by Percheron horses. For me, it was hearing the St. John’s carillon throughout the snowy afternoon as I watched families wandering about the village, while our friendly police enforced the street crossing so pedestrians could safely enjoy the day.

Altamont is a small village populated by people with big hearts. This year’s event was a mix of old and new activities created by veteran and new residents.

ACT's cadre of board members and Friends was aided by 20 wreath decorators, 40 Made in Altamont raffle donors, 10 tree decorators, teams of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and two new resident elves.

WinterFest is the collective effort of ACT, the Masons, St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Altamont Reformed Church, the Altamont Free Library, Mayor Kerry Dineen and the village board, the police, the department of public works, and village businesses.

Generous sponsors allow us to keep our events free for all and contribute to village not-for-profits through our Community Grant program. Many thanks to Fenimore Asset Management; Christy Center/Realtor Gabler Realty; 1st National Bank of Scotia; Stewart’s Shops; Altamont Country Values; One Love Preschool; Boutique Pet & Spa; Gade Farm; Starbucks Coffee; and Keith Lee and Jim Gaughan.

In addition, everyone who purchased a wreath or bid in the auction made it possible for kids to ride through the snow in a vintage carriage behind beautiful horses.

Laura Shore for

Altamont

Community Tradition