The annual two-day festival that utilizes the Center street span on Friday and the Veteran's Bridge on Saturday kicked off with a family friendly event yesterday.
The Center Street Bridge event was sponsored by Oil City Main Street who, just a few days ago, lost their leader, Kathy Bailey, after a long battle with cancer. Maureen James, who was there helping out, said people wondered if the event would be cancelled after Bailey passed away. "Kathy would kill us if we cancelled it," she said. Bailey, was instrumental in the Center Street LED illumination and it spawned the first Bridgefest-like event in 2017. Then Bailey, with Main Street, and Kay Woods, through the arts council, decided in 2018 to turn it into two bridge, two-day event.
The Center Street Bridge event was sponsored by Oil City Main Street who, just a few days ago, lost their leader, Kathy Bailey, after a long battle with cancer. Maureen James, who was there helping out, said people wondered if the event would be cancelled after Bailey passed away. "Kathy would kill us if we cancelled it," she said. Bailey, was instrumental in the Center Street LED illumination and it spawned the first Bridgefest-like event in 2017. Then Bailey, with Main Street, and Kay Woods, through the arts council, decided in 2018 to turn it into two bridge, two-day event.
Last night Mitch Littler, HOLeY Jeans and the Oil City Marching Band helped draw hundreds to Center Street while children's games where under the steal arched beams of the historic bridge. The renovated bridge is the iconic symbol of the Main Street Program. John Manders' characitures, putt-putt golf and sometimes a crashing Jenga game, food and face painting, arts and crafts, some fun and some important conversations, George Etzel's Kung-Fu kids demonstrating, and kids running around everywhere were just part of the event. Oh and there were clowns and balloons galore.
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| It was a successful kickoff for the weekend event now in its six year. Bailey most likely would've been smiling ear to ear with this year's turnout. The event continues today kicking-off around 4 p.m. on the long Veterans Bridge and is expected to go on rocking until 10 p.m. On the calendar are The Dogs of March who will start things off at 4 p.m. as crafters, and other tables line the length of the bridge along with beer and wine vendors. Find the Arts Council canopied table to learn out how to partake. Like clockwork, The Time Keepers will take over the music duties at 6 p.m. and play until around eight when the last band has the elixir to cap off the fun festival. Uncle Ben's Remedy willl play from eight to close at 10 p.m. |  |
The event is free and open to the public.. Below are more photos from Friday evening's event.
Saturday September 16
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