• What: Victorian Holidays Celebration
• When: Dec. 15, noon-6 p.m.
• Where: Various locations in Altamont
• How much: Free, $10 for trolley house tour
• Info: Altamont Community Tradition’s Facebook page
Even the most stubborn holiday Scrooge will likely have a hard time not finding something to warm up their holiday spirit during this year’s holiday celebration in Altamont.
The village will be transformed into a festive hot spot during Altamont Community Tradition’s 12th annual Victorian Holidays Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 15, from noon to 6 p.m. Four Victorian and period homes in the village will welcome visitors for house tours, along with the additional featured tour of Breitenbach Castle.
One of the new attractions is a winter market featuring more than 15 vendors offering an array of goods. Santa will ride in on the Holiday Train as everyone gathers to light the village’s holiday trees.
Judith Dineen, president of Altamont Community Tradition, said the holiday event brings the community together and is geared towards being family-friendly. All of the money raised goes towards supporting the not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the community’s character. The organization also supports local businesses and families.
“We offer things that families can go to, which I think is very important,” Dineen said. “We are very kid-friendly, and this year we even got pets involved.”
Agway, located at 106 Prospect Terrace, will be holding a dog and cat holiday costume contest, with dogs at noon and cats an hour later. While pets are at the store, there will be an opportunity to get their picture taken with Santa, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations received for the photos will benefit the Altamont Fire Department.
Dineen said previously the contest was held in Orsini Park, and one time there were a group of dogs dressed up as reindeers on a sled.
The Masonic Hall, located at 138 Maple Ave., is the launch point for the house tours, which costs $10 per person. All of the other events are free, but having cash on-hand would be good for shopping opportunities. SEFCU is sponsoring the trolley that will take people to the homes, and Keybank is sponsoring special transportation to Breitenbach Castle.
Dineen said the castle is expected to be a big draw this year. Tom Breitenbach, an artist, and his wife, Debra, started building the castle by hand in 1976. He was inspired to build the castle modeled after the Bavarian castles of King Ludwig
“People will love it. This castle goes on and on,” Dineen said. “It boggles the mind what this man did by himself. … It is quite a labor of love, and he wants to leave it as a museum at some time.”
The castle houses many forms of art from iron hardware forged in an on-site blacksmith shop to leaded-glass windows, furniture, carvings and tile work. Nearly the entire castle was built through masonry construction, with two-feet thick exterior walls and ceiling stretching up 22 feet.
There will be more festivities at Masonic Hall with children’s temporary tattoos, balloon sculptures and holiday craft activities from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. There will also be gingerbread houses crafted by local children displayed at the hall.
The Festival of Trees — decorated by local families, businesses and organizations — will be on display at the hall, and people will be able to vote for their favorite. Prizes will be given to the top three trees.
There will also be 20 wreaths crafted by local residents, and each person usually adds their own take on a holiday theme, Dineen said.
“We don’t tell them what to do, and they are always just beautiful,” she said.
The Altamont Reformed Church will bring the holiday alive with a live nativity scene at 4:15 p.m. Dineen said the presentation has become popular over the years, with people lining up to watch and singing carols.
There will even be some animals playing the role of other animals during the live nativity, courtesy of Teri Conroy, keeper of Wunsapana Farms. There will be two llamas dressed up in silk playing the part of camels, and “Henry” the goat will do his best to act like a sheep.
The baby Jesus even has an understudy, with twins selected to play the part.
“If one gets a little fussy we got another one, but it only lasts around 20 minutes,” Dineen said.
Dineen’s favorite aspect of the event, though, is not any of the many attractions, but seeing how much people enjoy it each year.
“It just brings a lot of joy to the village,” she said. “Everyone is always in goods sprits and enjoying it … we seldom hear a complaint. It is a great start to the holiday season.”
To preview some of the events and activities featured at the event, visit Altamont Community Tradition’s page on Facebook. There has been one post daily teasing to an attraction. There is also an event page on Facebook listing a full roundup of activities.