The Altamont Triangle

The Altamont Triangle, not to be confused with the Bermuda Triangle, is a unique feature of our town. Check out this article about the history of the Triangle from the Altamont, Il History page.

And check out the Triangle now:

Halloween in Altamont

Published on October 8 2012 11:17 am
Last Updated on October 8 2012 11:17 am
Written by Greg Sapp

from http://www.thexradio.com/

Altamont Masonic Lodge No. 533 is sponsoring a Halloween Parade and Haunted Trail. The Haunted Trail named “Panic in the Park” will be open Friday through Sunday, October 26th – 28th and on Halloween (October 31st)  dusk to 10 pm. The parade will take place Saturday, October 27th at 4:00 pm.

Parade Info:

The Altamont Halloween Parade is a great place to enjoy bands, floats, antique vehicles, horses, and, of course, people in costume. The parade will leave the High School parking lot and go west on Division, turning North on Main and ending at the W.C. Klitzing park located on Monroe Ave. between Main St. and Third St.

After the parade, visit Klitzing Park and listen to the band play while waiting for the parade winners to be announced. Afterwards, visit the haunted trail “Panic in the Park”. Later, eat dinner at one of Altamont’s restaurants.

For people who would like to participate, registration is “on-site” at the High School for floats, bands, vehicles, etc. and for people in costume register on the south side of the Division St. and Main St. intersection.

Bands, floats, and organizations will line up at the High School at 3:00 pm.

Children and adults in costumes will line up on Main Street, just south of the intersection of Division St. The costumed entries will join the parade at the intersection of Division and Main, and continue with the parade for approximately 5 blocks to the park. Parking will be available along Main Street (south of Division St.); in the parking lot across from the Living Museum; or in the National Bank parking lot. Costume judging will be done prior to the parade. Costumes will be judged by age groups of 5 and under,  6 to 9 years old, 10 to 14 years old, 15 to 18 years old, and Adult (19 and over).

The judge’s stand will be located at the triangle. There are categories for Costumes, Floats, Marching Bands, Horses, Horse drawn vehicles, and Antique machinery. Judging will be based on a Halloween or Harvest theme except marching bands which will be judged on sound, showmanship, and marching.

Organizations and Businesses are being encouraged to enter floats or walking groups. Get your employees or members to dress up. Horses and Riders, dress up like your favorite cowboy, like an Arab princess or maybe even the headless horseman.

After the parade refreshments and activities will be available at Klitzing park. Judges will announce the parade winners at the park. Float parking and parade participant pickup will be on Monroe Ave in front of the park.

Haunted Trail Info:

“Panic in the Park” will be open Friday through Sunday, October 26th – 28th and on Halloween (October 31st)  dusk to 10 pm.  Last years trail was a big success and this year will be even better with additional attractions.  Keep an eye on Klitzing park for clues to some of those additions, they’ll begin to appear in a couple of weeks as we begin to set up the trail.

Admission to the trail is $5.00 for adults/older children and only $3.00 for children 12 and under. Also, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Hotdogs, popcorn, drinks and scary fun, don’t miss this screaming good time. Get in the Halloween mood or round out a night of trick or treating by visiting Panic in the Park at Klitzing park, corner of Monroe and Main, Altamont.

2nd Annual Garden Club Fall Festival

Altamont was blessed with beautiful weather for the Garden Club's Fall Festival held at Schmidt Park.  Temperatures hovered in the low 70's, which was perfect for sampling Chili provided for the Cook-off!  Pork burgers and hot dogs were also available.  This year the Garden Club included kids' games for a few hours and entertainment for the entire afternoon. A Vendor area was included for people to stroll through and of course, there was mums, pumpkins and hay bails available for purchase.

Park Update

There is new play equipment at Klitzing Park! It was a little sad to see the old equipment go for sentimental reasons (at least for us "old" folks), but I imagine it was over 50 years old!  Time for our young people to have a safe place to play.  Altamont is known for it's nice parks.

The Triangle

Our town center is "The Triangle", unlike most towns "town square". The pavilion is host to many "Pork Burger" and bake sales throughout the summer. It's a nice place to sit and visit. The local Garden Club does a fantastic job of landscaping.

Schmidt Park

Schmidt Park is the largest and oldest of Altamont's 3 parks. Last summer cement walk-ways were constructed, making it easier to take a stroll!

Although the "Marshmallow" is no more, the horses and the old blue slide are still here!

Welcome to Altamont!

Welcome to Altamont, Illinois! We are your typical small Mid-West town. You can find us half-way between St. Louis, MO and Terre Haute, IN just off Interstate 70. Altamont was first organized as a town in 1871 and because of the Vandalia Railroad that ran through it, the town flourished. Many of the original families were German immigrants and the town retains some of that flavor. Historicaly, the Cumberland trail passed through the area which later became Route 40 and in the 1960's Interstate 70 was built just south of town allowing for successful "tourist" businesses, such as restaurants and motels. The town's motto is "small enough to care, large enough to serve". I hope if you have never been to Altamont that this site will induce you to stop as you pass by. And I hope if you used to live here, that this site will bring back some good memories that will hopefully bring you back to visit!