The event, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m., will close down Seneca Street in Oil City for a free day full of original music, food, art and hands-on activities.
It's a scaled down version from the past two years, said Jerome Wincek, festival creator and featured musician. But we hope having it as a sort of street fair will allow people to become more involved.
In collaboration with the North Side Business Association and the Seneca Street Saturday Nights, this year's affair includes 18 performers ranging in genre from blues, rock and bluegrass to acoustic and big band. And with musicians arriving from Altoona, Pittsburgh and Erie, Wincek said Saturday should boast an eclectic mix of performers more specific to the region.
We've definitely gained more of an identity this year, we aren't just some random festival anymore, said Wincek, noting in past years the action spanned two days and was held in various spots throughout Oil City. It's more of an informal gathering of like-minded people just here to have fun.
Saturday's festival, co-sponsored by the Oil City Arts Council and Clarion-Venango Campus, will also feature local artists giving lessons and demonstrations on the street, in addition to extended business hours and special promotions at some downtown establishments.
People talk about how there is nothing ever going on downtown, well now there is, said George Cooley, a member of the artist relocation program. And this is the kind of stuff you want people to find when they come and visit your town.
Cooley, moving to the area nearly eight months ago from Massachusetts, said settling into Venango County has been a pleasure because of these individually tailored programs. Different from big cities such as Chicago and Boston, he added Oil City has a special flavor and is unique because of the attention it affords each person.
Per capita there is more going on here than in most places, said Cooley, who will provide festival-goers Saturday the opportunity to try their hand at a potters wheel. And that's what's made this work, taking a theory and making it into a reality, showing people things like this can and do happen.
The music festival, slated to take place until 9 p.m., includes performances at two different locations on Seneca Street, one in Pipeline Alley and one near Classy Catering. However, Wincek said visitors are encouraged to bring their own instruments and play wherever a space may allow.
A large tent in front of the National Transit Building will house local artwork and crafts and artist studios throughout the building will be available for use. Sign-ups from interested musicians for three additional collaborations with Seneca Street Saturday Nights, tentatively planned for July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12, will also be collected throughout the day.
I'm very proud of what it's become, it's more than I thought it would ever be, said Wincek, joking that even during hard times, music is a free source of entertainment, happening regardless of economic woes. And seeing everybody come together for a crazy idea has been really reassuring.
In addition to Wincek's group, The Old Hats, other bands to play include Nathanial Custer, Remora Deign, Brian Morgante, Well Strung, Joy Ike, Jeremy Jack, Susette Jolley, Mitch Littler, Brian Stoltenburg, Secretly Plotting Your Burial, Newmen, Justin Parsons, Brooke Annibale and Seth Brewster.
A drum circle, open jam sessions, sidewalk chalk for children and massage demonstrations will also be available.
I'm happy to see another event growing and flourishing in the area, because it's pretty amazing we can do this with almost no money, said Libby Williams, co-chair of the Oil City Arts Council. I just hope people of all ages come to see what it's all about.
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