2023 will mark the 45th anniversary of the annual Oil Heritage Festival, proudly hosted by the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. The festival honors the area's rich heritage that resulted from the discovery of petroleum and the "oil boom" that occurred along Oil Creek in the mid-1800s. In that oil fueled the Industrial Revolution and the modernization of America's transportation industry, our region is frequently referred to as “the valley that changed the world."

The Annual Oil Heritage Festival, held on the 4th weekend of July each year, depicts our distinctive heritage by incorporating many heritage related events into one of Western Pennsylvania's major festivals. Volunteers from civic and social organizations help to sponsor wonderful events designed to provide fun and entertainment for people of all ages.

Schedule

July 15, 2023

FLEX Bike 'n Brew

Venango Chamber
Biking Activities 2-4 PM and Brewfest 4-7 PM

This year will be a hybrid event, which includes:
CURBSIDE PICKUP ($40): Pick up a package full of at least 8 different craft beers from local breweries in a cooler tote bag, along with fun swag from both breweries and sponsors. Pick up package anytime between 4 and 7 p.m.
VIP TICKET ($50): Includes the package listed above PLUS a tasting with Scierka's Tavern at the Venango Chamber. Scierka's will have craft beers to sample that are not available in our region. A raffle and other activities will also be included.

More information found at ohfbikenbrew.org

July 15-16, 2023

Annual Hop Homan & Chops Cunningham Memorial Softball Tournament

Hasson Heights and Mitchell Fields

July 18, 2023

7 PM - Music at the Museum: Pine Valley Boys - Venango Museum

July 19, 2023

4-8 PM - Elks Club Chicken Barbecue - Sycamore Street - $12

Oil Heritage Festival Junior Olympics
Oil City High School Track, 5 PM registration, 6 PM start
– Pre-registration is preferred but not necessary. Click here for the registration form.
– Registration opens at 5 PM, Event begins at 6 PM
– A picnic dinner will be provided to participants and their families after the event
– Ages 3 - 14, two divisions, boys and girls in each group - age groups will be broken down closer to the event
– THANK YOU to the Oil City Eagles Club, VFW Post 464, PNA Club, Pulaski Club, Oil City Vineyard Church, Oil City McDonald's, First Presbyterian Church, and Second Presbyterian Church for donating funds to provide for this event!
– In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. If you are unsure, call the Venango Chamber Office at (814) 676-8521 or check here.

6 PM - Oil Heritage Art Shows and Reception & Grand Opening - National Transit Building

6 PM - 9 PM - Oil Heritage Art Shows - National Transit Building, Annex, Graffiti Gallery & 42 Seneca Street

7 PM - 9 PM - Music on the Square: Angel Blue & the Prophets - Town Square

Youth Alternatives, Inc. Tiny Tots Contest
Children Ages 1-3

July 20, 2023

9 AM - 7 PM - Friends of the Library Book Sale - Oil City Library Basement

11 AM - 2 PM - Touch-a-Truck - Central Avenue Plaza

11 AM - 5 PM - Oil City Curb Market - Central Avenue Plaza

12 PM - 4 PM - Oil Heritage Art Shows - National Transit Building, Annex, Graffiti Gallery & 42 Seneca Street

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM - YWCA Spaghetti Supper - 109 Central Avenue
Adult - $13, Child 4-12 - $8, 3 & under - FREE

5 - 7 PM - Children's Fun Fair - Central Avenue Plaza
Free for children of all ages. There will be a guest appearance by Tree Family Party Piggies for little ones to interact with the piggies along with lots of other crafts, games and prizes!

Children's Parade
Lineup: 5:00 PM, Step-Off: 5:15 PM
– Start at the Crossing Free Methodist Church, follow East Second Street to Central Avenue, and then down to Central Avenue Plaza where judging will take place.
– A Children's Fun Fair will be taking place in the Plaza following the Children's Parade, as well as an Ice Cream Social and Evening Concert.
– Thank you to Rossbacher Insurance for their donation of water for parade participants!

5 PM - 5:45 PM - Concert: Mostly Brass - Central Avenue Plaza

5 PM - 7 PM - FLEX Ice Cream Social - Central Avenue Plaza

5:45 PM - Children's Parade Winners Announcement - Central Avenue Plaza

6 PM - 7 PM - Concert: Mitch Littler - Central Avenue Plaza

6-10 PM - Venango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School parking Lot,

7 PM - Outstanding Front Porch Contest - Central Avenue Plaza

7:15 PM - OHF Queen Crowning - Central Avenue Plaza

7:30 PM - Evening Concert: Echo Valley - Central Avenue Plaza

July 21, 2023

9 AM - 5 PM - Friends of the Library Book Sale - Oil City Library Basement

12 PM - 6 PM - Oil Heritage Art Shows - National Transit Building, Annex, Graffiti Gallery & 42 Seneca Street

City Of Oil City Children's Pool Party
James A. Nelles Pool
Ages 0-6 from 12-3 PM, Ages 7-12 from 3-6 PM, FREE

Food Vendors
Under Veterans Memorial Bridge/Justus Park 4:30

Boy Scout Troop 17 Pork Chop Dinner
Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 17
First Presbyterian Church (215 East Bissell Avenue)
5 PM - 7 PM, Take-Out only, $12 per meal

6 PM - Youth Alternative's Annual Barrel Race - James A. Nelles Pool
Tickets available at the Venango Chamber and Festival Headquarters

6-10 PM - Venango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School Parking Lot

5 PM - 7 PM - Concerts in the Park - The Bus Brothers - Justus Park

7 PM - 10:30 PM - Concerts in the Park - Lawyers, Guns & Money - Justus Park

July 22, 2023

Oil Heritage Artisan & Fine Craft Festival
9 AM - 4 PM - Seneca Street
9 AM - 7 PM - Town Square

Oil City Firefighters 5K Run/Walk
9 AM - Race begins on West First and Petroleum Street
Pre-registration: $20, Registration on arrival: $25

9 AM - 3:30 PM - Friends of the Library Book Sale - Oil City Library Basement

Ike's Children's Fishing Derby
Waltonia Park
Registration 8 AM, Fishing 9-10:30 AM
Bait provided, Bring fishing poles
Age groups: 5/6, 7-9, 10-12

Oil Valley Disc Society Disc Golf Tournament
Hasson Park Course, Tee-off 9 AM, Entry Fee $25

10 AM - 3 PM - Old Fashioned Photo Shoot - 42 Seneca Street
Costumes provided by Community Playhouse, Inc. Photos by Bright Ideas Photography.
$10 for a 5×7 photo

Bike Rodeo
Sponsored by PennDOT
Parking lot between CATA and PennDOT Office, 11 AM Registration
Activities 11:30 AM - 1 PM involving bike safety, giveaways, and more!
Hot dog lunch provided by R. Lee James

Oil City VFW Brunch
Hosted by the Oil City VFW
11 AM - 1 PM, 2 Relief Street
Brunch is All-You-Can-Eat, Adults: $12 Veterans: $10 Children 6-12: $8
$5 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas
Open to the community!

12 PM - 6 PM - Oil Heritage Art Shows - National Transit Building, Annex, Graffiti Gallery & 42 Seneca Street

Historic Church Tours

Starting at 12:45 PM and 2:15 PM
Begins at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2 Center Street, No Pre-Registration Required
Including tours of 4 historic churches: Trinity United Methodist Church, Calvary United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Second Presbyterian Church.

Oil Heritage Festival Parade
The area's LARGEST parade!
Step off at 5 PM
Begins at West First and Orange Street, goes down West First Street to State Street, goes over the Veterans bridge, goes the wrong way down Seneca Street, and ends near the old PNC Bank

6-10 PM - Venango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School parking Lot

6:30 PM - 8 PM - Concerts in the Park - SICKNESS - Justus Park

8:30 PM - 10 PM - Concerts in the Park - The Clarks - Justus Park

10 PM - Fireworks Spectacular - Justus Park

July 23, 2023

11 AM - 4 PM - Oil Heritage Artisan & Fine Craft Festival - Town Square

11 AM - 3 PM - Old Fashioned Photo Shoot - 42 Seneca Street

12 PM - 4 PM - Oil Heritage Arts Shows - National Transit Building, Annex, Graffiti Gallery & 42 Seneca Street

12 PM - 4 PM - Oil Heritage Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In - Seneca Street

4:30 PM - Oil Heritage Festival Basket Raffle Drawing - Festival HQ - 42 Seneca Street

Date: July 20 - 23, 2023

Location:
Various Venue, Oil City, PA

Click here for More Information