The second Oil City MarketFest event is this Thursday, July 19. The Oil City Farmers’ Market is an open-air curb market, open from 9 am – 7 pm (vendor hours vary) each Thursday on Central
Avenue in front of the Oil City Library and Christ Episcopal Church. MarketFest events are open to additional community-related vendors and offer live entertainment from 5-7 pm. The southbound lanes of Central Avenue (along the library and church) will be closed to vehicles beginning at 3 pm that day to allow for additional vendors and pedestrians. The northbound lanes will remain open to vehicles, and motorists are asked to please drive slowly through the plaza area. The featured entertainment for Thursday July 19 is Randy Moorehead, the 2016 winner of Franklin’s “Taste of Talent” vocal competition, covering a variety of music from classic rock to 90’s alternative to country.
This year, the Oil City Farmers’ Market has modified its operating schedule with the intent of offering flexibility to vendors as well as customers. Vendors may choose an early shift (9 am – 2 pm) or late shift (2 pm – 7 pm). Main Street Manager Kathy Bailey noted that the early shift is fairly full, however there are open spots remaining on the late shift, particularly for produce vendors. “We know that some customers cannot get to the market during the weekday due to work schedules, so we hope that vendors respond to this opportunity,” stated Kathy Bailey, manager of the Oil City Main Street Program, which has facilitated the Oil City Farmers Market since 2016.
In addition to this Thursday’s event, there will be one more MarketFest on Thursday, August 16, featuring music by Ashleigh Bennett. Organizers hope that MarketFest will continue to create awareness for the Farmers’ Market in terms of both customers and new vendors. “Farmers’ markets offer consumers a way to get homegrown or homemade products directly from the producer, often at a cost equal to, or less than what you’ll pay at a grocery store,” added Bailey. “They are an affordable way for a vendor to test a new product and begin an entrepreneurial venture. And they are hubs for neighbors to mingle or visit nearby businesses.”
The Oil City Farmers’ Market is facilitated by the Oil City Main Street Program. Interested vendors may contact Stew Armstrong in the Main Street Office at (814) 677-3152, ext. 104 or sarmstrong@oilregion.org.
