Binghamton City Council Asked to Designate “Official Dance”

City Council has been asked to consider a resolution to designate an "official dance of Binghamton."

Lawmakers this week heard a West Side resident discuss his formal request for legislation dealing with a matter seldom discussed in public at City Hall.

Watch the WNBF News video at the end of this article.

John Solak said he wants to "make Binghamton fun again." As part of that effort, he has proposed that the polka be made the city's "Official Dance."

Solak suggested the designation might be viewed as "a little blatant tribute to our heritage here in the area." He noted church festivals across the region feature the polka.

Solak said he's "always looking for low-budget ways to promote the city," suggesting the designation would be a good way to do that. He also cited the popularity of polka music on local radio and TV stations.

Bill Flynn, widely regarded as Binghamton's "Polka King," has hosted polka-related programs on Binghamton stations for several decades. He said he believes making the polka Binghamton's official dance is "a great idea."

Flynn said the "polka has always been at the top of the list" when it comes to popular dances at local festivals over the years. He told WNBF News the "official dance" designation should be considered for the city of Binghamton.

City councilmembers on Wednesday evening listened to Solak's pitch for recognition of the polka but provided no indication as to whether they are inclined to seriously entertain the proposal.

WATCH: Bill Flynn discussed the proposal to make the polka Binghamton's "Official Dance" on WNBF Radio on January 29, 2026.

LISTEN: Here's the entire Bill Flynn interview about the dance designation and much more on WNBF Radio.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.