A 1-light town, and proud of it: How Alfred festival is embracing small college town image

Leave it to America's "Ultimate College Town" to throw a party for a traffic light.

The Alfred, N.Y. Traffic Light Festival June 8 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the only traffic control device in the Allegany County village the Washington Post called the "collegiest college town" in the U.S., thanks to Alfred University and Alfred State College.

Because it is Alfred, the festival will include both the traditional and the quirky, as befitting something that came into existence in the 1970s.

Marchers and floats will parade down Main Street to the light for a ceremony marking the half-century milestone. The proceedings will feature former Alfred mayors, the chief of police and other dignitaries.

But this is iconic Alfred, so there will be the traffic light chant, friendly games of Twister and Red Light-Green Light, a street dance with a live band, $10 commemorative T-shirts, and "Traffic Jam," an edible souvenir in two flavors ? strawberry and apricot. Pick up a jar of Traffic Jam for $5. All proceeds from the festival will be turned over to the village for new equipment in the children’s park.

The party spot will be "under the lights" at Main and Pine streets. Installed on June 4, 1974, the light occupies the intersection where Alfred's three communities come together.

“The reason why I think the intersection with the traffic light is so important is it’s at that very spot that Alfred University, the Village of Alfred and Alfred State College meet,” said Becky Prophet, a former Alfred mayor and trustee who is coordinating the festival.

Prophet said the festival "celebrates being a small town and loving to live here," adding, "There is no one like us in the U.S., as far as I can tell.”

According to organizers, one theme of the festival is the more the merrier. "Everyone is welcome, whether you live, earn, or learn in Alfred or anywhere else in the world," organizers said.

Traffic Light Festivals were also held for both the 30th anniversary of the light in 2004 and for the 40th in 2014. The light has been replaced multiple times over the decades.

Bridge fixed, new light installed ahead of 50th anniversary in Alfred

Some doubted the 50-year celebration would happen after major Pine Street bridge construction got underway last summer.

"One of the quirks, of many quirks in Alfred, is because the bridge was closed, the traffic light was taken down," said Prophet. "People were questioning me about if we could really celebrate the 50th anniversary (if the light was missing). I said, ‘Yes, even though the light was missing, it’s still 50 years ago that it was installed.'”

But those fears proved to be unwarranted. The replacement bridge upgrade is completed and the new span is open. The traffic control device is in place again with what Prophet calls a “full 21st century new design. So, it’s very exciting.”

Adding to the excitement, both the college and the university are hosting reunions the same weekend as the festival, enticing alumni back to their campuses with activities and special events.

During its reunion June 6-9, AU will honor all class years ending in 4 and 9. There will be special group celebrations for Alfred University Golden Saxons – alumni from 1973 or prior. The AU Alumni Reunion has a packed schedule of events over the four days.

The Alfred State College Reunion June 7-8 will feature the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on Saturday. Alfred State is sponsoring the Traffic Light Festival street dance Saturday night.

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Traffic Light Festival parade, schedule of events

Everyone and anyone may march in the Alfred Traffic Light Festival Parade. Individuals who plan to are asked to send an email to Prophet or contact her via Facebook to let her know you'll be there. The festival will have food vendors. Look for the street dance music to rock the early 1970s sound, at least to start off the night.

Here is the schedule for the 2024 Alfred Traffic Light Festival in the famous one-light town.

• 5:30 p.m.: Parade lineup.

• 6 p.m.: Parade begins (starts behind Jordan Hall off Main Street)

• 6:20 p.m.: Ceremony begins at the traffic light.

• 7:30 to 9:30: Live music and dance party featuring the band, Sweet Degenerates.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Alfred Traffic Light Festival June 8 embraces small college town image