First Night®, Oil City, an alcohol-free, family-oriented celebration of the arts, has been held annually since 1998 under the sponsorship of the Arts Council. The event is funded by grants from the Samuel Justus and E. J. Luce Charitable Trusts, contributions from local businesses, corporations and individuals, and by sales of admittance buttons to those who attend. The low button cost makes the event more affordable than taking the family to see a movie.

First Night Oil City Website

Since its debut in 1997, First Night® has received high praise for the quality and variety of entertainment and experiences it offers. While attendance at the 2000 Millennium celebration topped the charts with crowds of nearly 6,000, First Night® has welcomed a steady stream of between 3,000 to 5,000 people who have come despite frigid weather. Shuttle buses transport people throughout the town to indoor sites where performances are scheduled. Revelers wishing to brave the cold are warmed at the bonfires throughout the city. People wear crazy, decorative hats, walk through rooms filled with balloons, parade down the street making noise, view two fireworks displays, visit their choices of entertainment options, sample great food and go home saying they couldn’t do everything that First Night® had to offer.

December 31, 2010 – New Year’s Eve

Umojah Nation (Reggae Band)

Family Interactive Theatre

Kevin DeWitt (Ventriloquist)

Bob English Quintet (Big Band Music)

A Dog’s World

Sweet Patootie (Duo from Canada…formerly performed with Tanglefoot)

Matt Gavula (Pianist, guitarist, vocalist & humorist)

Tiger Maple String Band (Bluegrass music)

Geoff Bach (Juggler)

Masonic Clowns & Balloon twisting

Bill Foley Band (60’s Cover Band)

Jim Helmetzi (Banjo, guitar and vocals)

Tasana Camara Kora from Guinea – West Africa

Nicholas Nasibyan (teen aged pianist)

Sadie Green Sales Jug Band

A great non-alcoholic community event!