OIL CITY, Pa. — The 20th anniversary of Oil City’s First Night begins at 5:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
(2016 Photo above by Greg Knox — Bright Ideas Learning Center and Photography.)
Having begun on December 31, 1997, this action-packed family-oriented, non-alcoholic celebration will showcase numerous popular performing groups from among the 224 uniquely different groups that have performed at least once in prior years.
Entertainers who will join us this year include: RPR Band (former members of Tanglefoot, winners of the Best Vocal Group at the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards); Cahal Dunne (Ireland’s piano man); Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin impersonators Charlie Stayduhar and Bob Morelli; Mitch Littler (stellar blues via vocals and playing multiple instruments); The Butler Clowns (humor, magic, skits, balloons, and music); Captain Magic (magician Tom Mclaren); Carol Weakland (actress, author and story-teller who brings literary classics to life); Neil Jacobs (masterful 12-string guitarist — Gypsy, World, Jazz, Balkan Folk, Classical and Modern Fingerstyle) and, Bill Sandusky (Erie Ice Works ice sculpture).
Performers joining the event for the first time this year include: Echo Valley Bluegrass Band, a very popular Western Pennsylvania family band comprised of seven siblings; Porcelain Bus Drivers (dance band that plays everything, from rock to country, rock, soul, rap, modern, 60’s through today); the Porter/Huber Jazz Quartet featuring area instrumental jazz musicians Nelson Porter, Bill Huber, Jr., Preston Huber and Patrick Huber; Asleigh Bennett (vocals, keyboard and ukulele – Indie, folk and a hint of classical music): and, Gary Auerbach (“The Frisbee Guy” … World Freestyle Frisbee Champion in 1995).