Those enjoying Titusville's Oil 150 will need to be aware of where to park during the three biggest days of the celebration.

According to Joe Carter, festival logistics chairman, there will be free parking in different locations and a shuttle service to and from the parking lots into the center of the city.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, which is the Drake Day Extravaganza, there will be handicapped-accessible parking at the Drake Well. Others are asked to park at Titusville Opportunity Park (TOP), near the Cyclops Credit Union building, beginning at 8 a.m. until the last vehicle leaves the lot.

Carter said two shuttle buses will be running all day, beginning at 8 a.m. until everyone has returned from the activities. He said there are efforts to obtain an additional two buses for the Nitro Show to keep waiting at a minimum.

The free parking areas will be clearly signed, Carter said.

This year's Oil Festival parade is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, and has the theme “Oil 150: America's Energy Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Officials anticipate that approximately 20,000 people will come to see the parade, which will stretch along a 1.7-mile route through the Queen City.

According to Tambra-Warner Sabatini, parade chairperson, the parade so far has a lineup consisting of 10 marching bands, three horse units, seven queens from seven area cities, and representatives from six volunteer fire departments, bringing with them 10 trucks.

And, last but not least, a total of 75 floats.

The parade route will be from East Main Street to Second, up Second, to Spruce Street, ending at Brown. It will begin at 11 a.m. and last approximately three hours.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Excitement is building with each passing day for everyone who has planned the many events for the Titusville Oil 150 Celebration.

Appreciation goes out for the many donations received by businesses and the private sector. This grand party could not be planned and carried out if it were not for the generosity of those contributors.

This Sunday begins a week of Oil 150 festivities, including:

The 44th Antique Car Show, which will be held at Drake Well Park, rain or shine. Registration at this time shows 150 antiques and classics, with 15 judged classics. All cars must be registered by 1 p.m. The event is open to the public to view the A.A.C.A. Judged Pennsylvania Oil Region A.A.C.A. Show. Food will be available on the grounds. Door prizes and a 50/50 will also be featured. For further information, call Bill Gratkowski at 827-1782, during the evenings.

Get ready for a celebration unlike any other. Work on Oil 150 began months ago and will culminate in a week filled with excitement and memories that will last a lifetime.

From the thrilling entertainment, wonderful food, and lineup of tremendous events, this festival, which honors our history, will become a part of our history.

“It's coming down to the wire,” commented Oil 150 co-chair Barb Ives. “There will be so much to do. The city and [Oil 150] committee have been working very well together. I hope we have a large turnout, great weather and that everyone has a wonderful time.”

By Jerry Schill

Parades, pageants, food, games & fun! Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when thinking about festivals in small towns & cities all over America. Some of the events become so "well-oiled", (pun intended), over the years that they seem to operate on cruise control. Not so with the Oil 150 celebrations in the region, due mainly to the magnitude and the significance of the anniversary. 

Natives of this area know what happened in Titusville that August day of 1859, and most Americans, with a little prodding, can recollect learning about Colonel Drake, Titusville and "the well" back in their grade school days. 

There are, however, bits and pieces of our local history that even escape the native population, yet are extremely interesting to history buffs, if not a very important part of our culture. 

One example is the relationship of the Heisman name with Titusville in general and oil in particular. John William Heisman attended schools in Titusville, graduating from Titusville High School in 1887. He learned to play football in Titusville and went on to become one of the greatest collegiate football coaches of all time. Each December, America waits to hear who will receive the Heisman Memorial Trophy, one of the most coveted awards in sports.