Oil City’s South Side Business Association is preparing for Oil City’s 10th annual Christmas Past Celebration. Festivities are scheduled to begin on Friday December 3rd and wind down on Sunday December 6th.
Santa will arrive in the Central Avenue Plaza on Friday December 4th on the back of Oil City Fire Department newest ladder truck at 6pm. Once there, he will light the community Christmas tree and kick off the evening‘s entertainment. The Oil City Rotary will be hosting a Chili cook off, with registration beginning at 4:30 pm and judging at 5pm; Free pictures with Santa and other holiday characters will be given out courtesy the South Side Business association merchants; There will be face painting, balloon twisting and children’s crafts in Christ Episcopal Church; A Euro Bouncer from Jones Party Magic; Horse and wagon rides through Oil City’s historical south side; and a teen street dance with DJ Phil from 8-10pm.
Saturday’s activities kick off with a cold man’s 5K run on the bike trail; t-shirts will be given to the first 200 entries and trophies will be awarded by category. Saint Stephen’s School will be offering breakfast with Santa; Followed by the YWCA’s Sweet Treats; A Victorian Christmas Bazaar at the Knights of Columbus, with musical performances starting at 11am; and Venango Museum’s Christmas Tree Display. New this year is the addition of the third shopping venue; Shop, look and listen at Christ Episcopal church 9am -4pm.
The Oil City Art’s Council is having an “Evening of Jazz” with the Harold Betters Trio at the Arlington Hotel Saturday night; 6pm. Reservations are required; call 814-676-0509 for more information.
The second annual Chocolate Festival will be at the National Transit Building on Sunday December 5th from 11am – 4pm. The public is invited to visit with area vendors and sample their sweets. Merchants will also be offering their wares for sale. Various musical ensembles will play throughout the day.
Community residents and businesses are invited to enter in the festival’s outdoor decorating contest. Prizes will be awarded to those with the brightest, the most traditional and for best overall display.