Calendar of Events

During 2008, the organizing committee has put together a schedule of events that once again will put our area on the map. These celebrations include:

Move your mouse over the date to see a discription of the event Print FriendlyVersion Here

May 27 Linnea Good ConcertCelebration event sponsored by Oil Springs /Oil City United Churches at the Oil Springs Youth Centre at.7:30 p.m. Adults $12.00, children ages 6 and up $.8.00, under 6 Free, $25.00 per family

June 13 Spirit Walk and DramatizationUncover the unknown on Friday the 13th ! Roam on historic museum property and peek in at re-enactors presenting mesmerizing moments from oil history. For information contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

June18 Chamber of Commerce Business EventHosted at the Oil Museum of Canada, 950 Chamber members have been invited to attend Business After 5. Entertainment, music, oil field tours and historical presentations about the rich oil history of Lambton County. Chamber members and invited guests are free. Non Chamber members $10.00 per person. Ages 18 and up.

July and August Wagon RidesJuly and August Horse and Wagon Oil Field Tours – Horse drawn wagons will take visitors on tours of historic working oil fields. Please contact the Oil Museum of Canada for details and dates at 519 834-2840

July 1 Enniskillen Driving Tour/Canada DayThree buses are booked to tour seven historical spots in Enniskillen on July 1. To reserve your seat, with a free lunch, call 882- 2490, space is limited. Buses leave Krall Park (Shiloh Line at Oil Heritage Rd,) between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to join the tour in their own vehicles. Stops include: The Oil Museum of Canada; a tour through Fairbank Oil Properties founded in 1861; Metal Men Sculptor Murray Watson’s shop; Ray Lloyd’s Step Into History; Tansy Hall built in 1899; Baines Machine Shop founded in 1914, VanTuyl and Fairbank Hardware founded in 1865; and The Petrolia Discovery. A free lunch will be provided for those on the buses. The tours are followed by the annual Canada Day Chicken BBQ at Krall Park. See details under separate listing.

July 1 Enniskillen’s Canada Day Chicken BBQThis wonderfully popular annual event will be held at Krall Park (Shiloh Line and Oil Heritage Rd.) from 4 to 6 p.m. Half-chicken dinner is $12 and quarter-chicken dinner is $6. Come join the fun!

July 19-20 Oil History and Heritage Days Talk to the blacksmith and watch him hard at work as he repairs an oil field tool, makes horseshoe nails, or fixes a wheel. Ask him questions but be careful - he may put you to work ! Watch demonstrations from quilting to candle making or take part in activities and games. Enjoy entertainment and special displays. Sunday provides a unique opportunity to get a glimpse at the oil business with special guided horse and wagon tours of adjacent historic oil fields. Light refreshments available. For information contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

July18-20 Barrel RacingThis is a National Barrel Horse Association sanctioned event. The event is being held next to the Oil Museum of Canada.www.blackgoldbarrelbonanza.com

July 18 Drive In Theatre Educate and entertain. Excerpts of “Just Passing Through” DVD will be shown & family feature films. This will be a family time during other celebration activities. 

July19 Firemen’s Fish DinnerOil Springs Fire Department will host a fish dinner with historical displays and music.

July 19 Community DanceOil Springs Open Air Concert featuring Shelly Rastin Band plus The Scotch Prophets, at the Oil Springs Youth Centre,Starting at 12:00 Noon, leading into an evening concert.These events will take place during the car show and evening fish dinner.

July 19 Car ShowThis event will take place at the Youth Centre Park in Oil Springs and will showcase powered vehicles from the last 100 years as well as transportation vehicles from the late 1800’s.

July 21-25 Calling All Artists and PhotographersIn August, Victoria Hall Art Gallery is presenting a juried art show celebrating 150 years of oil. All entries of photographs and paintings must be submitted between July 21 and 25. For more info, see Aug12-30 listing below or go to victoria.hall.art.committee@gmail.com

July 26 Lawn Tractor RacesThis event will take place at the Youth Centre Park in Oil Springs. Entertainment for the whole family by the Western Ontario Outlaws with 5 classes from mild to wild.

Aug 2 Beef DinnerMore Information coming soon

August 2 OilympicsA mini-oilympic event with candy extravaganza to follow from 10 am - 12:30 pm, Ages 5-12, Voice of Truth Church

August 2 Drive In Theatre  Educate and entertain. Excerpts of “Just Passing Through” DVD will be shown & family feature films. This will be a family time during other celebration activities. 

August 9 ParadeOn the anniversary date of the 150th, the parade will feature bands, entertainment, historical vehicles and period costumes. Ending at the Oil Museum of Canada for anniversary declarations by local and national leaders.

August 9 Oil Baron’s Ball social event featuring traditionally attired 1860’s community players, an 1800’s theme with music, dance and entertainment.Period costume optional.Door prises

August 9 2008CelebrateJoin in the celebration – 150th anniversary of the first commercial oil well located at the Oil Museum of Canada. Capture the excitement and re-live history as performers portray the 1858 first commercial oil well discovery in Oil Springs. Visit the Buckskinners encampment, take part in interactive demonstrations, and seek out special displays, exhibits and surprises. Enjoy food, music, and entertainment. Celebrate a monumental achievement of oil history by joining in with the festivities! For information contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

August 10 2008CelebrateCelebration continues at the museum …. displays, demonstrations and entertainment. Travel on unique guided oil field tours to see where history lives on – over 500 historic oil wells continue to operate. Visit the Buckskinners encampment and much more … For information contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

August 10 FireworksThe final event of the celebration weekend preceded by local youth and theatre groups presentations.

August 12-30 Oil Rush An original and lively musical, Oil Rush is to be performed by professional summer theatre at Victoria Hall in Petrolia.. Through songs, dance and acting the play captures the excitement of the discovery of oil in Oil Springs, and follows the mad rush for oil in Petrolia. The significance of the events come alive and brings us right to the present. Written and directed artistic and managing director Robert More, music composed by Jacqueline Sadler. For more info, go to www.victoriaplayhousepetrolia.com.

August 12-30 Oil Art and Photography Show Complementing the play Oil Rush, the Victoria Hall Art Gallery is presenting a juried art show featuring paintings and photographs celebrating 150 years of oil. The art will be on exhibit throughout the lobby of Victoria Hall in Petrolia. For more info, go to victoria.hall.art.committee@gmail.com

September 20 Doors Open Ontario Driving Tour of Oil HistoryAll are invited to stop in at the many driving stops. The doors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stops include: Oil Springs – Fairbank Oil and The Oil Museum of Canada; Petrolia – Baines Machine Shop, VanTuyl and Fairbank Hardware Store, the Nicol Library, Petrolia Discovery, Victoria Hall; Bothwell – The Bothwell-Zone Oil Museum Sarnia – Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, Imperial Oil Commemorative Plaque, Imperial Theatre, the University of Western Ontario Research Park Sarnia-Lambton. For more info go to www.tourismsarnialambton.com

November 1 Oil Patch Murder Mystery DinnerAll is not well in the oil patch ! Join us for dinner and help unravel and solve this mind-boggling mystery and pinpoint the culprit. Reward posted. Enjoy an evening of food, fun, & fantasy. For information contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

November19 - December 19 Christmas Long AgoStarting mid November - Christmas Long Ago An activity program at the Oil Museum for groups (requires a minimum of 12 people & also pre-registration). Christmas slide show and story presentation, candle dipping, craft making, popcorn & cider tasting. Fun and enjoyable for groups of all ages. Program presented in the museum decorated for Christmas, with a trek outdoors to the log cabin. For information and dates, contact Oil Museum at 519 834-2840

 

 

 

 

 
Copyright©2007  2008CelebrateCommittee All Rights Reserved All logos used with permission