Back Porch Gold will be the featured performer for the Oil City’s MarketFest held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday on Central Avenue in front of the Oil City Library and Christ Episcopal Church.
Back Porch Gold features local musicians Jim Ahrens, Gary Dittman and Joyce Dittman who have been casually playing together on Ahrens’ back porch for many years. Ahrens and Gary Dittman
became reacquainted while playing guitars together in a Honky Tonk production for Community Playhouse. Their similar guitar styles and skills complement and challenge each other in ways that make each of them better musicians. Joyce and Gary Dittman have performed together many times for CPI audiences as well for the weddings of family and friends, so adding her vocals has been a natural addition to Ahrens’ and Gary Dittman’s guitars.
Although Back Porch GOLD usually just plays on the back porch, they have played many concerts in Pipeline Alley, during Oil Heritage Festival, and Paint the County Purple Day, weddings, Christmas parties, club meetings and around the campfires.
The group plays selections from Simon and Garfunkel, the Eagles, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffet, Garth Brooks, Fats Waller, John Denver,
Boudleaux Bryant, Eric Clapton and more.
Upcoming gigs for the trio include a noon concert on Wednesday, July 12, in Pipeline Alley in Oil City and at the Venango County Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10.
The special MarketFest event is held in conjunction with the Oil City Farmers’ Market.
The open-air curb market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Thursday on Central Avenue in front of the Oil City Library and Christ Episcopal Church. The market will also operate on Mondays beginning in late June.
The farmers’ market has six active vendors so far this season, with more expected to come in as the summer produce season develops and peaks, according to Kathy Bailey, manager of the Oil City Main Street Program.
The southbound lanes of Central Avenue, along the library and church, will be closed to vehicles beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday to allow for additional vendors and pedestrians. The northbound lanes will remain open to vehicles, motorists are asked to drive slowly through the area.
Organizers hope that MarketFest will create awareness for the farmers market in terms of both customers and new vendors.
Another MarketFest event is in the works for Thursday, Sept. 7, featuring music by Old Guys with Guitars in Central Avenue Plaza.
“Mark your calendars for June 22 and Sept. 7,” said Bailey. “Come check out our vendors, learn more about the market and enjoy the music. Bring a lawn chair if you’d like to just sit and enjoy afternoon.”
The Oil City Farmers’ Market is facilitated by the Oil City Main Street Program. Interested vendors may contact Kathy Bailey in the Main Street Office at 677-3152, Ext. 101, or kbailey@oilregion.org.
