2024 will mark the 46th 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 of Events

Pre-Festival Events

July 13, 2024

Oil Heritage Festival Softball Tournament
Hasson Heights and Mitchell Fields

12 pm - 3 pm: Culligan Summer Fun Party - Culligan (425 Seneca Street, Oil City)

Join the fun at Culligan for a Summer Fun Party. Learn what Culligan can do for your family while enjoying games, prizes, crafts, popcorn and snow cones! This event is free & open to the public. Parking is available at Oil City Community Alliance Church.

July 20, 2024

Flex Bike 'n Brew

Venango Chamber

Bike 'n Brew is back for 2024! This year we will celebrate both curbside and in-person. Attendees receive a package with beer from local breweries & free merchandise. There will be biking activities during the day.

July 23, 2024

Music at the Museum: Pine Valley Boys

7 pm: Venango Museum

Admission is by donation at the door

July 24, 2024

Elks Club Chicken Barbecue
Sycamore Street, 4 pm - 8 pm, featuring barbecued chicken and pork
The Elks Club will also be hosting an Everything Sale, inside the Elks Club on July 27th and 28th from 10 AM - 7 pm

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 - 12, two divisions, boys and girls in each group - age groups will be broken down closer to the 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: Reception & Grand Opening - Entry Form
National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street)

6 pm - 9 pm: Oil Heritage Art Shows - Entry Form
National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street) and Graffiti Gallery (228 Seneca Street)

7 pm - 9 pm: Music on the Square: Tom Petty Tribute Band - Town Square

Youth Alternatives, Inc. Tiny Tots Contest
Children Ages 1-3, Deadline to enter Friday, July 19
Voting at HQ Wednesday - Friday until 4 pm
Winners will be announced Friday, July 26 6:45 pm before the evening concert
Find more information on registering here

July 25, 2024

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 - 6 pm: Oil City Curb Market - Central Avenue Plaza
12 pm - 4 pm: Oil Heritage Art Shows - National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street) and Graffiti Gallery (228 Seneca Street) - Entry Form

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm: YWCA Spaghetti Supper - 109 Central Avenue
Adult - $13, Child 4-12 - $8, 3 & under - FREE
Dine-In, Take-Out, and Drive-Thru options!

5 pm - 7 pm: Children's Fun Fair - Central Avenue Plaza
Free activities for children of all ages!

Children's Parade
Lineup: 5:00 pm, Step-Off: 5:15 pm
-The children's parade will take place IN Central Avenue Plaza this year. Children will line up in the FUN Bank parking lot, and then will be lead around the Plaza through the Fun Fair in a big loop.
-Thank you to Child Development Centers for taking on this event!

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 pmConcert: Mitch Littler - Central Avenue Plaza
6 pm - 9 pmVenango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School Parking Lot
7 pm: Outstanding Front Porch Contest: Winner Announcement - Central Avenue Plaza
Click here for the registration form. Deadline to registrar is July 16th.
7:15 pmOHF Queen Crowning - Central Avenue Plaza
Rain Location: Christ Episcopal Church
7:30 pm - 10 pm: Evening Concert: Wyllis Street Band - Central Avenue Plaza

July 26, 2024

9 am - 5 pmFriends of the Library Book Sale - Oil City Library Basement

12 pm - 6 pm: Oil Heritage Art Shows - Entry Form
National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street) and Graffiti Gallery (228 Seneca Street)

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

5 pm - 9 pm: Oil Heritage Festival Craft Show - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street)

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

Youth Alternative's Annual Barrel Race
James A. Nelles Pool, 6 pm
$5 per ticket (barrel) or 3 for $10

YMCA Open Skate
Hasson Heights Dek Hockey Facility, 6-8 pm
Ages 8-14, $5 Admission, $5 Skate Rentals

6 pm - 9 pmVenango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School Parking Lot

Food Vendors and Local Restaurants
Enjoy food from local food vendors in the parking lot or local restaurants during the evening concerts!
Deets Sugar House and Venango Snow look forward to seeing you!
Local restaurants include: Billy's, McNerney's, Bud's Pizza, Double Play, Baked Goods from Heaven, Famoore's, Villa Italia, The Marvic Tavern, Woods & River, Open Door Café, Core Goods, Pizza Hut, Four Star Pizza, Domino's Pizza, McDonald's and more!

5 pm - 6:30 pm: Concerts in the Parking Lot: Best Intentions - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street),

7 pm - 10 pm: Concerts in the Parking Lot: Count The Years - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street),

July 27, 2024

9 am - 4 pm: Oil Heritage Festival Craft Show - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street)
Find the registration form here

9 am - Oil City Firefighters 5K Run/Walk
Race begins on West First and Reed Street,
Pre-registration: $20, Day of registration: $25. Pre-registration deadline is July 24.
Registration form linked here

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 AM - 10:30 AM
Bait provided, Bring fishing poles
Age groups: 5/6, 7-9, 10-12
Prizes for each age group!

Oil Valley Disc Society Disc Golf Tournament
Hasson Park Course, Tee-off 9 AM, Entry Fee $30
13th Annual Oil Heritage Disc Golf Tournament, Best shot doubles, BYOP (Bring Your Own Partner), Prizes for Closest to the Pin, with a cash prize awarded to 1st place team
-Registration available online at: discgolfscene.com/tournament/13th_Annual_Oil_Heritage_Doubles_Tournament_2024
-In-person registration will also be available on the day of the event starting at 8:00 AM at the park (cash only)

Bike Rodeo
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
Prizes donated by CATA

Oil Heritage Art Shows - Entry Form
National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street) and Graffiti Gallery (228 Seneca Street), 12 pm - 6 pm Entry form linked here (PDF)

"Legends of the Oil City Gridiron" Mural Official Celebration
Pathways Adolescent Center, 358 North Seneca Street, 1 pm
Come see Oil City's newest mural! Designed and created by local artist Deac Mong and featuring players and coaches from the Oil City Oilers Football Team.

Oil Heritage Festival Parade
The area's LARGEST parade!
Step off at 5 pm
Find registration form here

Due to the closure of the Veterans Bridge during the festival, this year's parade will be held on West Third Street, starting at Mitchell Avenue and ending at Central Avenue. Please see the registration form for complete route information and answers to frequently asked questions. We are confident this change will have little effect on the overall experience of the parade and we encourage your participation.

3 pm - 9 pm: Venango Region Catholic School Festival - St. Stephen's School Parking Lot,

Food Vendors and Local Restaurants
Enjoy food from local food vendors in the parking lot or local restaurants during the evening concerts! Deets Sugar House looks forward to seeing you!
Local restaurants include: Billy's, McNerney's, Bud's Pizza, Double Play, Baked Goods from Heaven, Famoore's, Villa Italia, The Marvic Tavern, Woods & River, Open Door Café, Core Goods, Pizza Hut, Four Star Pizza, Domino's Pizza, McDonald's and more!

5:45 pm - 7 pm: Concerts in the Parking Lot: The Bus Brothers - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street)
7:30 pm - 10 pm: Concerts in the Parking Lot: Lawyers, Guns, & Money - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street)
10 pm: Fireworks Spectacular

July 28, 2024

12 pm - 4 pm: Oil Heritage Arts Shows - National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street) and Graffiti Gallery (228 Seneca Street)
Entry form linked here

Food Vendors and Local Restaurants
Enjoy food from local food vendors in the parking lot or local restaurants the car shows! Deets Sugar House looks forward to seeing you!
Local restaurants include: Billy's, McNerney's, Bud's Pizza, Double Play, Baked Goods from Heaven, Famoore's, Villa Italia, The Marvic Tavern, Woods & River, Open Door Café, Core Goods, Pizza Hut, Four Star Pizza, Domino's Pizza, McDonald's and more!

Wye Bridge Hobbies Model Car Show & Mini Swap Meet
247 Seneca Street, 11 AM - 3 pm
Find more information here

1 - 3 pm: 100 Seneca Open House - 100 Seneca Street

12 pm - 4 pm: Oil Heritage Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In - PennDOT Lot (286 Elm Street), - $5 entry free, t-shirts to first 100 participants

4:30 pm: Oil Heritage Festival Basket Raffle Drawing - Festival HQ (228 Seneca Street)

Date:
July 24 - 28, 2024

Hours:
Wednesday: 6 pm - 9 pm
Thursday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Friday: 12 pm - 6 pm
Saturday: 12 pm - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm

Location:
Various Venue in Oil City, PA, 16301

Click here for More Information