Altamont to Celebrate its German Heritage Saturday

 

The family-friendly festivities will offer fun and food for all ages. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. displays will show the history of the churches established by the German settlers in the 1860's. Descendants continue as members of the five Lutheran churches. The German settlers were talented craftsmen and Altamont residents will sell handmade crafts. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. children will play old fashioned games and listen to German stories.

 

German plate lunches, bratwurst, wieners, chips, soft drinks, German desserts, and other baked goods will be for sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Recorded German music will add to the festivities. Take along a lawn chair.

 

At 1 p. m. Elaine Becker Fletemeyer will tell about "The Rich Heritage of Being Bilingual: Speaking Plattdeutsch and English". Elaine spent her childhood in the Altamont community. Concluding the event at 1:45 p.m., the Altamont Community Choir will sing German songs.

 

In case of rain, activities will be moved to the First United Methodist Church.

 

Two blocks north of the park is the home of Dr. Charles M. Wright, doctor to the German settlers. The house museum will be open from 2 to 4 p. m. Admission for tours is $5 for adults and $1 for students.

 

Traveling east of Altamont on US Highway 40 to Ballard Nature Center, families can walk the trails to experience the timber and prairie found by the German settlers.

 

The event is organized by the Family Friendly Team of Developing Altamont's Future with help from the other teams. Contact Linda Schmidt at 618-483-6397.