destinations

A Pictoral review of June 18th & 19th

Altamont National Road

Festival

Ballard Nature Center

IL Route 40 East of Altamont

The Altamont

National Road Festival

was held June 18th & 19th, 2005

This web page is a collection of

pictures taken during the festival

Altamont Volunteer Firemen

Breakfast

was held on Saturday, June 18th

from 6 AM to 10 AM

The Firemen report

an impressive turnout

and thank all that attended

The Wright House was open from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, June 18th and from 1 PM to 4 PM on Sunday, June 19th

A large crowd attended the dowtown flea market located North of Main Street Antiques & Collectibles & Et Vas Antiques & Collectibles

A large rummage sale was held by Immanuel Church with the proceeds goings toward the building fund of the new parish hall. Other town garage & yard sales were being held on Saturday also.

Ben Winter's Steam & Threshing Museum was open from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, June 18th & from 1 PM to 4 PM on Sunday, June 19th. Ben Winter & his daugher Faye Winter conducted tours and gave train rides. They were assisted throughout the day by members of the Millroad Threshermen's Association.

The Effingham County Sportsmans Cowboy Action Shooters performed to the delight of the crowd at the triangle at 11 AM & 1 PM on Saturday, June 18th.

The A.B.A.T.E. Motorcycle parade moved down Main Street at 12 Noon on Saturday, June 18th. The parade was an endless stream of motorcycles which was definitely a crowd pleaser. Their website is http://www.abate-il.org/

THE GREAT TRAIN WRECK OF 1880

The year is 1880. The quiet farming community of Altamont is in a turmoil.

It seems the recent derailment East of town has stranded a shipment of Kansas cattle destined for the Chicago stockyards. These poor animals, hungry & thirsty, have been bawling and lowing night and day disturbing the peace with their protests.

And.... thats not the least of the problems.

The band of Texas hardcases; led by the notorious ruffian Noah Count, who are escorting these poor beasts, have been making a general nuisance of themselves, accosting decent citizens on the streets, drinking and reveling all hours of the night and generally behaving quite unseemingly.

Sheriff (D.R.) "Crooked Arm" has been informed that one more incident will call for the arrest of these ruffians.

........ONE MORE INCIDENT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN

Bill Wendling heard there was going to be a bike parade, and he thought to himself.... why not.

Bill's "big wheel" has been a crowd pleaser for years, not only in Altamont, but in surrounding communities and states.

Thank you Bill for your appearance this weekend

A little nostalgic touch to the Altamont National Road Festival was an exhibit of several older cars & tractors. Our thanks to Bruce Kessler, Marcella Wolf, Art Trost, Roy Long, Lynn Kull, Ron Hoffmeister, Gerhard Braasch and John Funneman

Immanuel Lutheran Church served a large crowd with porkburgers enhanced with "Doug McCains BBQ Sauce". The proceeds from their fundraiser will go towards the Parish Hall Building Fund. The United Methodist men had an ice cream social during the day which was a reported "sell out". The proceeds from their fundraiser will go towards the kitchen renovation project.

The Altamont Police Department with the assistance of Explorer Post 2011 fingerprinted children along with a bicycle safety / ID Program. Altamont Fire Protection District had one of their pumpers on display only with an ambulance display from Altamont Ambulance Service.

D.R. Caldwell - aka "Crooked Arm" delighted the crowd with his 1890's Moline Chuck Wagon display. Crooked Arm was busy throughout the day answering questions about his display along with showing an interesting display of period accessories that he had on display. Thank You "D.R." for your dedication to our festival.

All of the festival communities along the National Road had a commerative cancellation that started on June 18th and will last for 30 days. The Altamont cancellation featured the "Wright House" and Brenda is shown at the left with the first hand cancellation of the day. Thank's goes to Alvin Oliver for coordinating the Altamont cancellation.

That is the majority of pictures that I took during the festival. Thank you to the committee members that included Lucille Beccue, Bob & Karen Roedl, Alvin Oliver, Kendal Balding, Don & Linda Schmidt, Mickie Alwerdt, D. R. Caldwell and numerous other people that provided input during the planning stages. Our thanks goes out to The Altamont Independent, The Altamont News, Effingham Daily News, the local radio stations, WCRA & WXEF. Thanks to the Altamont Chamber of Commerce and the Altamont Tourism Board. Our special thanks to the National Road Association of Illinois for all of their help during this festival. Thanks to A.B.A.T.E. for their Noon parade down Main Street. Thanks goes to all that displayed cars and tractors during the event, along with members of the Altamont Explorer's, Altamont Police Department, Altamont Fire Department and Altamont Ambulance Service. Thanks to D.R. Caldwell for his "Chuck Wagon" display along with the presentation by the Effingham County Sportsmen Cowboy Action Shooters. Thanks to the Millroad Threshermen for your dedication and preservation of the past and your assistance at Ben Winter's Museum. Thanks to the volunteers at the Wright House tours, your dedication is appreciated. And... lets not forget those that provided excellent "food" during the day. The Altamont Volunteer Firemen, the Immanuel Lutheran Church group and the United Methodist Men's group. The food was great!!!! Thanks goes to the City of Altamont for their assistance in the festival in numerous ways. Thanks to the staff of Altamont Ambulance that went above and beyond several times during the week preceding and during the festival. Thanks to Joe Luchtefeld and Altamont State Bank for the use of their parking lots during the festival. Thanks to S & W for participating in the Mountain Dew promotion of the National Road Festival. Thanks to the Altamont Post Office for participating in the special cancellation project. If I have forgot anyone, I apologize and will add your contribution to the web site if you e-mail me. Terry D White on behalf myself, Cristi and the Festival Committee.