Oil City First Night to Feature Live Entertainment, Fireworks

Oil City First Night to Feature Live Entertainment, Fireworks OIL CITY, Pa. — Oil City Arts Council’s annual “First Night” festivities will commence at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. (Photo by Richard Sayer of Eight & 322.) Entertainment and activities will take place from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., followed by the second of two fireworks displays lighting up the skies at midnight. The theme for this year’s gala event is “Back to the Future.” This fun-filled, family-oriented, non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve festivity will again offer an array of wonderful live entertainment at multiple venues on the north and south sides of Oil City. Admission to First Night Oil City venues requires the purchase of a specially designed First Night admission button. The button cost this year is $10. Children ages 10 and under will be admitted free of charge. Be sure to get an event brochure when you purchase your button! The buttons and accompanying event brochure that provides times and locations of events are available for purchase at the Oil City Public Library, Gates and Burns Realty, Inc., Transit Arts Gallery & Gifts, Venango Museum, and the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce (weekdays until December 22). On the evening of the First Night Celebration, admission buttons will only be available for purchase at Trinity UMC on the north side of town and at the Christ Episcopal Church on the south side. NORTH SIDE ACTIVITIES Piano Maniacs Dueling Pianos will perform in Trinity United Methodist Church’s Trinity Room located on the second floor of the church. Founded by Tod Cutshaw, Piano Maniac Dueling Pianos consists of two highly energetic piano players who have entertained with each other for many years and know how to “Bring the FUN!” Their interactive show will feature a whirlwind of musical comedy, sing-alongs, song requests, and more! They play a variety of songs from classic rock, country, hip-hop, and standards. They have performed in the Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, and Youngstown areas, and beyond! Performing in Trinity UMC’s Sanctuary will be the ever-popular Echo Valley Bluegrass Band . This high-energy farm-raised Western PA band consists of six award-winning musician siblings dressed in handmade bright retro apparel provide a highly animated performance featuring a variety of bluegrass, gospel, retro, and grassicana styles of toe-tapping music. Magic Steve Bennett will appear in the Trinity UMC Nursery. He will lead off his evening performance with a ½ hour magic act, followed by entertaining the audiences for the remainder of the evening with his fascinating balloon art. In a Trinity UMC classroom, the ever-popular Butler Clowns will dazzle people with their balloon characters, face-painting, and more. With the classroom space, kids will also have an opportunity to get their faces painted or to make crafts to take with them, with all materials being provided. Also at Trinity UMC, Community Playhouse, Inc. will set up a themed booth for photo ops in the second-floor library of the church. Props will be provided. Stop by, enjoy the fun, and have friends or a volunteer take your photo. Singer-songwriter Samantha Sears will perform in the Great Room of the National Transit Building. Samantha consistently thrills and captivates audiences at parties, festivals, community events, and other venues with her unique and ever-special acoustic rock and Indie music. Just next door, at the National Transit Building Annex, revelers can express themselves percussively and with enthusiasm as they actively participate in a Drum Circle with Kim Huegel and friends. First Night Oil City revelers may also enjoy creating crazy self-made hats in the hallway on the first floor of the National Transit Building from 6:00 p.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m. Stop by to make your one-of-a-kind hat and bring your imagination! The amazing performing group HOLeY JEANS , a community youth choir for grades K through 12th grade, will perform outdoors by the Christmas Tree in Towne Square at about 5:45 p.m. on the North Side just before the Peoples Procession Parade. The youth choir performs for many community events and at church each year. First Night goers are encouraged to participate in a festive and noisy Peoples Procession, a parade that starts at 6:00 p.m. just behind 100 Seneca Street (formerly Cornplanter Square) and leads participants on a route that leads to Justus Park near the bonfire and at the perfect venue for watching the fireworks. SOUTH SIDE ACTIVITIES: The Pine Valley Boys will perform at the Calvary United Methodist Church. They are a very popular local 5-piece local bluegrass band that has performed for many years at local festivals, community events, concerts at the Main Street Market in Polk; and, at numerous local venues, such as museums and private functions. They always bring fun and great ‘down home’ music wherever they perform. A local favorite, The Route 8 Band , will be entertaining in the Oil City YWCA gymnasium. The band consists of a talented eclectic mix of seasoned musicians from the Oil City/Franklin area who truly enjoy playing and performing. The band has been playing venues all across northwestern PA for years, including outdoor festivals, campgrounds, community events, social clubs, bars, casinos, and even a rodeo or two. The set list is a fun mix of country, rock, and blues that will appeal to a variety of audiences. Christ Episcopal Church will host the dynamic band Moe Taters & the Gravy Train . The band will perform in the church’s social hall. This multi-talented band features five musicians, led by Charlie Barath on lead vocals. The band includes just the right amount of harmonica playing to bring audiences some of the best Western Swing and Vintage Country around, especially when coupled with some fun and catchy originals of their own. They promise to get your boots moving! Another popular local band, Touch of Grey , will also be performing at the Christ Episcopal Church in the church’s sanctuary. This versatile band consists of three musically talented teachers from the Meadville area who “like making music together.” They play a variety of songs that they knew when growing up that made them like music. The Grateful Dead are some of their favorite covers, and they also play many classic rock tunes. The gala First Night event will feature two grand fireworks displays this year, one at 6:30 p.m. and the other at midnight. “First Bites” of food indoors at Trinity and Calvary United Methodist Churches or some local restaurants. Revelers can have outdoor fun, get warmed up, or view the fireworks at outdoor bonfires located on each side of town, one in Justus Park and the other at the Central Avenue Plaza. During the evening’s celebration, a cozy shuttle bus will be available to transport people to and from the north and south sides of town from 5:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. For further information check out Facebook.com/FirstNightOilCity or visit oilcityartscouncil.org. A special FirstNight Snapchat filter—sponsored by HOLeY JEANS—will be available during the event to share photos of your First Night experience. Use #firstnightoilcity2023 to help spread the word and share photos on social media posts. Copyright © 2023 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited. Category : Community, Events, Local News, News