Hot Dog Day makes triumphant return to downtown Alfred
Hot Dog Day, an annual event hosted by Alfred University, Alfred State College, and the Village of Alfred, was held on Saturday, April 22. A springtime tradition more than a half-century old, Hot Dog Day returned to Alfred’s Main Street following an eight-year hiatus and, despite some rain and wind, was a well-attended success, providing a number of fun events for members of the campus communities and visitors alike.
“The rain and wind couldn’t dampen the fun of the first Hot Dog Day on Main Street in over eight years,” remarked Eliza Ordway, director of Student Activities at Alfred University. “Coming off of the various adaptations of Hot Dog Day from the past few years, the Hot Dog Day Committee put in lots of work to make this event happen on Main Street. Seeing Hot Dog Day back on Main Street was quite honestly surreal. I believe it meant a lot to the community and both campuses.”
This year’s event returned to Main Street in Alfred after several years of being held alternately on the Alfred University and Alfred State campuses. The traditional celebration was interrupted by COVID in 2020 and 2021 before being held on the Alfred University campus last year.
Alfred University’s Hot Dog Day 2023 Video
Among the events held on Hot Dog Day were a 5-K run, hosted by the Alfred University Wellness Center and held in memory of Pam Schu, former health and wellness educator at the Wellness Center; wiener dog races on the Jordan Hall lawn; the Hot Dog Day parade down Main Street; a street fair on Main Street with vendors, hot dog stands, inflatables and games; Carnival games and rides on the Alfred State College campus; live music at the Village of Alfred Bandstand; a “paint and powder party” for Alfred University and Alfred State College students; and a movie in the lawn between Alfred University’s Powell Campus Center and Herrick Library.
“The collaborative effort that both campuses put in to offer a wide range of activities for the larger community proved to be very successful,” Ordway commented. “I’m proud of all the work that went into this event from our students and staff, we are looking forward to seeing everyone next year back on Main Street.”
Hot Dog Day raises money for a variety of area charitable organizations, which include A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Co., Alfred; Alfred Montessori School; Alfred Station Fire Co.; Allegany County Mental Health Association; Box of Books Library, Alfred; the ARC of Allegany-Steuben; and the Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women. While numbers aren’t official, an estimated total of more than $6,000 was raised to benefit charity.