Blog Archives - Eight & 322/Eight & 27

Tonight's Taste too smoky to be safe

6/28/2023

"Air" -ing on the side of safety, the City of Franklin has cancelled this evening's opening round of the Taste of Talent Vocal Competition concert in Bandstand Park. The air quality in our area, from the Canda wildfires, has reached dangerous levels according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Aancy.

"I looks like we're even going to get a higher level coming in this evening," said Franklin Fine Arts Council president Pat Dolecki who was tracking the EPA website. "It's going to be going from red and may be in the purple range by tonight which is very dangerous.

In a statement issued a few moments ago from the City of Franklin: "Per the US EPA, air conditions in our area are unhealthy, with the potential of becoming very unhealthy and dangerous. For the safety of our singers, staff, and audience, we have decided to cancel the Taste of Talent Performances scheduled for Wednesday, June 28."

"It's something unexpected and we will get through this and maybe next week will be even better," Dolecki said.

The city is asking for help in spreading the word.

For updates check out the Franklin PA, Events and Marketing Facebook page.

Want to know what it's like to take a car up over 225 mph?

6/22/2023

Do you like fast cars? Ever take a car up over 225 mph? Ever meet anyone who has not only done this, but makes a habit of it?

However you answered that question, and I’m guessing most of you answered no to at least the last two, you have a chance next week to meet this year’s third place finisher in the Indy 500 - Santino Ferrucci.

Webco Industries of Oil City will be hosting a special event Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring Ferrucci and his race cars. Ferrucci, who has a partner sponsorship agreement with Webco, races for the AJ Foyt team. He also, in recent years, raced formula two and three races all over the world.

Joining Ferrucci is area racer Joe Lockhart who has been racing since he was 11-years-old. He has raced everything from go-carts to motorcycles to stock cars to monster trucks.

In 2022 he created a professional clay go-cart track and started Lockhart Raceway in Seneca. The venue draws young racers from six states who want to learn more about racing.
Lockhart’s eleven-year-old son, Logen, is also following in his dad’s footsteps winning races all over the region and racing Jr. Sprint cars now.

The event, open to the public, will offer giveaways, food trucks and “a chance to get up close and personal with a couple of impressive race cars,” a Webco press release explained.

Franklin's July 4 week festivities start with parade and end with fireworks

6/21/2023

Franklin’s annual festitivies leading up to the Fourth of July will kick off Saturday with the Liberty Fest parade and wrap up July 4 with the Thunder Over Allegheny fireworks. In between is a lot of community-centered activities and entertainment.

The annual parade will start at 11 a.m. June 24 running along Liberty Street from 13th Street to Washington Crossing. Following the parade, the Franklin Fine Arts County will hold an ice cream social on 12th Street near the Franklin Public Library. Kids will get a treat for free and there will be clowns and other special guests.

Things will get going right before the parade with the semi-weekly Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the 12th Street Island. It will also be the first Artisan Market of the season.

The annual Venango County Humane Society pet show will be held on June 26 in Bandstand Park. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m., with juding starting at 6 p.m.

On June 28, the farmers market will be set up again from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 12th Street Island. That evening, the Taste of Talent vocal competition will begin at 7 p.m. in Bandstand Park.

The Franklin Silver Cornet Band, which has performed in the city for more than 160 years, will showcase its musical skills at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, in Bandstand Park.

The annual children’s Penny Carnival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 30 in Fountain Park. It will feature games, Penny’s Candyland, entertainment, face painting, a petting zoo, touch-a-truck and food vendors. The Performing Arts Academy with Darin will perform at the bandstand and the Barrow-Civic Theatre will have a princess photo shoot near their booth in Fountain Park.

Al Fresco Friday on June 30 will feature Pine Valley Boys at Benjamin’s Roadhouse from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and musicians Kevin Downey and Brianna Erdman at Bella Cucina from 6 to 8 p.m.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Cinderella” will open at 7:30 p.m. on June 30 at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Additional performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on July 1, 7 and 8, and at 2 p.m. on July 2, and 9

Order tickets at barrowtheatre.org.

Also slated for July 1, is the farmers market from 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the 12th Street Island. The Sip and Shop event will return from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. after a one-week hiatus. And a concert by 2B40 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Bandstand Park.

The festivities will close out with a evening gathering at Riverfront Park on July 4. The Route 8 Band will play at 7 p.m. and Thunder Over Franklin fireworks display will happen at dusk.

Taste of Talent returns with mix of homegrown and out-of-town singers

6/20/2023

It will be a mix of familiar faces and out-of-town newbies when this year's Taste of Talent vocal competition kicks off Wednesday, June 28.

“One of the wonderful things about this competition is that we get participation from singers outside Franklin and the communities immediately around us. This gives everyone a chance to hear new voices and us a chance to showcase our city to visitors,” said Pat Dolecki, president of the Franklin Fine Arts Council, which organizes the annual concert series.

Dolecki said 19 people applied to be part of the competition this year with a dozen being chosen to participate, including a transplant from Mifflintown, a native who lives in Pittsburgh and a singer from Ridgeway.

Returning contestants included Iris Callahan of Vowinkel, Tim Craver of Franklin, Ruth Herrick of Greenville, Lindsey Crabtree of Oil City and Alexander Karg of Pittsburgh. New to Taste of Talent are Mathew Myers of Oil City, Lauren Clarke George of Lucinda, Jacob Kunselman of Ridgeway, Jessica Gahr of Utica, Tabatha Pelletier of Enola, Lexie Gilson of Mifflintown and Alexis Jack of Franklin.

All 12 will perform beginning at 7 p.m. on June 28 and July 5. Audience members will be given a chance to vote each night and ballot totals from the two nights will be combined to determine the first elimination of the competition. Additional voting and eliminations will be done following singing on July 12, July 19, and July 26.

The semi-finals will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. And the audience will vote on the $1,000 winner during the finals at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. All the performances will be held in Bandstand Park.

Dolecki, who lead the charge in the vote counting room for many years, will be stepping away to do other competition-related duties once handled by the late Ronnie Beith. In Dolecki's place, seven other volunteers will work together to tabulate each week's votes.

"The core group of volunteers from past years will continue to help me and I am very grateful for their support," Dolecki said. "The Taste of Talent family is very close and will do everything possible for this to continue as Ronnie would of loved."

There will be a slight shuffling of duties on the stage and at the judges' table this year as well.

Former winner and frequent special guest Randy Moorehead will take on the emcee duties starting in week 2. The 2012 co-champion Rachel Mellor and well-known area singer Tammi Dahl will serve as this year's judges and mentors. Long-time judge and former winner Nathaniel Licht will fill in as needed, including the opening night of emcee duties. Another former winner, Joey Lillard will assist Dolecki with set-up tasks.

“This is one of our most popular summer events. Many of our residents and visitors eagerly await this announcement and mark their calendars to be at all the concerts,” Dolecki said. “Based on the audition packets, we promise that everyone will be excited to listen to this year’s contestants. It’s going to be another great year for Taste of Talent.”

People can follow along with this year’s competition by searching or posting on social media with the hashtags of #TasteofTalent and #TasteofTalent23.

(This story was updated to correct the year that Rachel Mellor was a co-champion of the competition.)

Jeepers to return to Two Mile

6/15/2023

The Ten Miles 4 Two Mile Jeep Run returns to Two Mile Run County Park July 8 and 9.

This event allows only Jeeps, no other makes or model.

There are two five-mile woods trails and a 10-mile scenic trail.

“This is the only time motor vehicles will be permitted off road within Two Mile Run County Park,” said Eric Elliott, President of Oil Valley Jeeps, organizers of the event.

Pre-registration is required with payment. Cost is $25 for the Scenic Trail and $50 for the Woods Trail. Those who register and pay for the Woods Trail can also enjoy running on the Scenic trail. All Jeeps must be road legal with proper insurance, and all drivers must be 18 or older.

The Woods trail is appropriate for stock 4×4 Wranglers that have mud, all-terrain, or winter tires. Drivers of other Jeep models can enjoy the Woods trail with off-road modifications. Drivers of any 4×4 Jeep model can enjoy the Scenic trail.

New for 2023 are Ladies Only rides. All guides will be females, and females will do all of the driving, but male passengers are allowed.

“We are hoping it will generate some more interest, and it’s an opportunity for the ladies to participate without feeling pressured by any male drivers,” said Elliott.

Ladies Only rides will take place throughout the day Saturday. If there is enough interest, they may be extended to Sunday.

The event is limited to 250 Jeeps. Visit OilValleyJeeps.org for more details and to register.

Food sales and raffles will also take place during the event. Cash is required for both.

The event is a fundraiser for Two Mile Run County Park. The rain dates are July 22 and 23.

Music on the Square series opens June 15

6/8/2023

The Oil City Main Street Program’s summer outdoor concert series Music on the Square will open its 2023 in Oil City Town Square.

The series lineup starts with Key West Express, an award-winning Jimmy Buffett tribute band from Erie.

The band opened on a side stage for Jimmy Buffett at the Post Gazette Amphitheater in 2006.

The music begins at 7 p.m. and listeners are encouraged to take a lawn chair or blanket.

“Music on the Square has grown to be a favorite in downtown Oil City, because it’s such a great way to spend a weekday summer evening,” said Kathy Bailey, manager of the Oil City Main Street Program, which organizes the shows.

The Oil City Elks will be holding an outdoor dinner concession with seating on Sycamore Street in connection with the concerts.

The Music on the Square schedule also includes The Gordon James Blues Band on Thursday, July 6; Angel Blue & the Prophets on Wednesday, July 19; Chuck Justice & the Junkyard Lawyers on Thursday, August 3; and The Wyllis Street Band on Friday, September 15 (taking place during the Oil City Uncorked Wine Walk).

The concerts are made possible by the Jack Rowley Charitable Trust.

Jolly July 3

6/8/2023

Oil City Arts Council Presents Jolly July 3 rd
Monday July 3, 5-10 pm in Justus Park

The Oil City Arts Council is pleased to present its annual Jolly July 3rd Festival, set for Monday July 3,
5:00pm – 10:00pm in Justus Park, downtown Oil City. The family-friendly event provides a festive
evening of food, music and fun for all ages along a spectacular view of the Allegheny River.
This year’s family entertainment includes a kid’s magic show, balloon animals, caricature drawings, Tai
Chi demonstration, and opportunities to take photos with miniature pigs from Tree Family Party Piggies.
The evening also features food vendors, live music by Mostly Brass, a local favorite, and Blue Morning, a
foreigner tribute band from the Pittsburgh area. Blue Morning plays classic tunes that also include Led
Zeppelin, Kansas, Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, and Cheap Trick. The evening is topped off with
Fireworks by Pyrotecnico sponsored by the Oil City Firefighters Local 700. Attendees are encouraged to
bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Event specifics are as follows:
5:00 – 6:00 pm Live music by Mostly Brass
5:00 – 5:30 Magic show by Magic Steve
5:30 - 9:00 pm Balloons by Magic Steve
5:00 – 9:00 pm Tree Family Party Piggies
5:00 - 9:00 pm Free Caricatures by John Manders
6:00 – 6:30 pm Tai Chi demonstration by Venango Kung Fu
6:30 – 8:30 Free Face painting by Butlers
7:00 – 10:00 pm Live music by Blue Morning
10:00 pm Fireworks by Pyrotecnico, sponsored by Oil City Firefighters Local 700
The Oil City Fire Department will hold its annual Boot Drive at downtown intersections on Friday July 16
to generate donations for the Jolly July 3 fireworks display. In addition, the Oil City Arts Council is
collecting donations to offset entertainment expenses of Jolly July 3 through donation containers placed
at various local businesses. Interested persons may also send donations directly to the Oil City Arts
Council at 21 Seneca Street, Oil City PA 16301.
Food vendors scheduled to date for Jolly July 3 include Deets Sugar House, Mad Mac’s BBQ,
Independent Taco, Baked Goods from Heaven, Venango Snow, and others. The musical performances
and family entertainment for Jolly July 3rd are sponsored by the Oil City Arts Council, which will post
event updates on its Facebook page.

For further information, please visit www.oilcityartscouncil.org or contact (814) 678-3017.

# # #

(SIDEBAR)
Second Annual Jolly July Jaunt
The Oil City Arts Council will hold its second annual Jolly July Jaunt and Dog
Dash on Saturday, July 1 st , 9:00am at the Oil City Marina and Bike Trail. The
event is a dog-friendly 5K run/walk (dogs not required). Cost is $30.00 for 2-
legged participants and $5.00 for dogs. Awards will be given to top finishers,
race shirts guaranteed for early registration only. Register online at
https://www.runhigh.com/events/events_single_view.php?eventID=5482.
Proceeds support the Venango County Humane Society and Precious

Music festival weekend at the pavilion

6/8/2023

EDITED: We originally incorrectly listed the wrong golf course name.

This weekend the Eagles Pavilion will be the place for some free live outdoor music and camping.

Located between theSleepy Hollow Golf Course and the Dollar General near Cooperstown on Route 427, the venue will feature several bands beginning at 4 p.m. Friday June 9 when Pittsburgh's Eli Lenk kicks off the Hills and Hollers Music Expo.

Friday will also feature the Oil City band Neuroticism.

Saturday's line-up includes Jerome Wincek of Oil City, Big Time Machine of Pittsburgh, Son of a Gun coming over from Rochester, Keep it Downs from Clarion, Modern Fossils up from Pittsburgh, From the Fallout from Meadville, Fuzzii also from Clarion), and host band Rurally Bankrupt from Oil City.