Oil City Main Street Program Encourages Shopping Local, Holiday Spirit

OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – The Oil City Main Street Program is encouraging shopping local and holiday spirit with Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26), Artists Sunday (Nov. 27), Oil City Christmas Past (Dec. 1-3), and the Jingle Bell 5K (Dec. 2).

The Oil City Main Street Program is a Neighborhood Champion, which provides resources to local businesses to help them take advantage of the national Small Business Saturday campaign that encourages people to “shop small”, especially on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

One incentive is Small Business Bingo. Held between November 25 and December 8, shoppers can complete a special bingo card available from many downtown businesses by making purchases that correspond to squares on the cards. Cards returned to the Oil City Library by Dec. 8 are eligible for a chance to win a gift certificate to the downtown business of the winner’s choice.

Artists Sunday is the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, and encourages shoppers to buy local hand-made goods and art for holiday gifts. Offerings include paintings, jewelry, ceramics, books, prints, cards, photography, music, and more. Open studios and artist pop ups will take place through Oil City’s North and South sides between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Maps are available at the National Transit Building, 206 Seneca St. A special effects makeup presentation by the Fallen Makeup Crew will be held at 4:30 p.m. at The National Transit Building.

Downtown businesses have until Wednesday, Nov. 30 to register and complete their displays for the annual Best Dressed Windows & Storefronts contest. Judging will be based on 1) originality, 2) use of space, 3) use of lighting, 4) skill & neatness, and 5) overall effort. Judging will take place between Dec. 1 and 6 so keep those lights on! The winning display receives a traveling trophy and certificate. Participants are encouraged to have their displays done in time for Small Business Saturday.

The 23rd Annual Oil City Christmas Past will be held Friday, December 1 through Sunday, December 3 in downtown Oil City. Events include concerts, breakfast with Santa, Fill the Truck Toys for Tots collection, Santa’s Playland, artist open studios, showings of the movie “Elf”, plenty of opportunities for shopping, crafts, and treats, a student art show, the Jingle Bell 5K, and of course, the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Town Square.

Detailed schedules will be available soon.

The Jingle Bell 5K takes runners and walkers, preferably in holiday attire, through downtown Oil City. Registration is held at the Elks, 111 Sycamore St., beginning at 8 a.m. The race starts at 9. Cost is $30. T-shirts will be available on a first-come basis. A free kids’ race begins at 8:45 a.m. at Town Square with fun prizes for participation. Proceeds benefit the revitalization efforts of the Oil City Main Street Program.

Category: Community, Local News, News