ALTAMONT — Altamont Flag Day, a local tradition for 35 years, will be a two-day event this weekend, June 11-12, with games and activities for all ages. Arts, crafts, vendor booths, a parade, prize drawings, street dances, and many new activities are on the festival’s slate.
Leading up to the event is a $500 medallion hunt sponsored by Gold Star Auto and Wave Wireless. Clues will be posted at Gold Star Auto, Wave Wireless, Altamont City Offices, Altamont Cable Channel #3, and www.altamontks.com  beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 7. New clues will be posted daily through Saturday. The medallion will be hidden on public land in the Altamont city limits (public land is any land owned by the City of Altamont or USD 506). The finder of the medallion should call Jack Leake at 620-820-3941. Upon verification, the finder will be awarded $500 at the Bean Feed on Saturday evening.
Among the other events for Altamont Flag Day are:
• Children’s parade: The Children’s Parade will be on Friday night with parade entries lining up at 6 p.m., east of Labette Bank.  This is fun for the entire family and is not limited to certain ages. People are encouraged to dress up in Flag Day-inspired outfits or costumes. Kids can decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, etc. and enter the parade.  Three prizes will be given. Judging will be on children who are 12 and under.
• Post-parade activities: After the Children’s Parade, there will be a free magic show followed by a Teen Street Dance. Flag Day and Dixon’s Fixin’s will also be serving concessions Friday night.
• Saturday breakfast: Saturday morning starts bright and early at 7 a.m. The Fire department will kick things off with a Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast in the fire station.
• Child ID program: The Parsons Masonic Lodge will offer a free Kansas Child Identification Program, also known as CHIP, in the Altamont Senior Center. Parents/guardians are provided with a packet containing a photo, video, and fingerprints in case the child is lost or abducted.
• Entertainment and Altamont Idol: Dennis Jamison of Pittsburg, a Christian rock singer, and his band will be making announcements and performing throughout the day until 5:30 p.m. Jamison is a native of Caney.
From 9 until noon there will be dancers and demonstrations in the street.  PRC Tumblers & Cheerleaders will perform first followed by a Zumba Dance demonstration.
New this year is the Altamont Idol contest. Additions start at 10 a.m. Altamont Idol Entry fee is $5 and there will be three cash prizes of $200, $100, and $50.  Participants must be 15 or older to compete. For more information, call Jennifer Bebb at 620-778-4454. Applications are available at Altamont City Offices. The Altamont Idol finals competition will begin at 6 p.m.
• Kids’ games: Old-fashioned Kids games will start at 9 a.m. Saturday and run every 30 minutes. Games include: Money in Haystack, Turtle Races (No decorated or snappers please), Hula Hoop Contest, 3-legged races, Balloon Toss and a Hot dog eating contest. Children will be able to enjoy House of Bounce inflatables at no charge.
• Flag Day Parade: At 1 p.m. the 35th Annual Altamont Flag Day Parade will begin. Veterans, fire trucks, horses, tractors, motorcycles, and much more will make their way down Huston Street.
• Drawings, prizes galore: Drawings for prizes will start at 3 p.m. in the fire station. Prizes include a smoker grill from Parsons Ace Hardware, a two-night stay at the Bricktoria Bed and Breakfast in Parsons, gift certificates to local restaurants, and much more.  There will also be a drawing for a half of beef and a whole hog.
• Pedal pull: Also new this year is a sanctioned pedal pull sponsored by Farm Bureau, Thomas Implement, Kevin King and the Roger & Jerry Carnahan families. This activity is free to kids ages 4-12.  Registration starts at 4 p.m. and the pedal pull will start at 5 p.m. First and second place winners get trophies and all other participants will receive certificates.
• Bean feed: At 5 p.m, there will be a free Bean Feed sponsored by the Altamont United Methodist Preschool in the fire station. Donations for the preschool will be accepted. Alan Banzet and John Smith will perform during the bean feed.
• Street dance: To wrap up the days activities “2 Dudes with a Radio” will be playing music for all ages at a street dance from 8 until midnight.
• Much more: Other activities taking place during the Altamont Flag Day festival include a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, a Horseshoe Tournament, and a Disc Golf tournament.
For more information about Altamont Flag Day, contact Mary Shields at 620-423-9453.