OC’s Jolly July 3rd will feature new band, 5K jaunt

Posted By: VenangoExtra.com June 26, 2022

By KARA O’NEIL

Staff writer

This year’s Jolly July 3rd festivities in Oil City will feature a new band and the addition of a pet friendly 5K earlier in the day.

New this year will be a 5K walk/run, the Jolly July Jaunt, on the bike trail beginning at the Oil City Marina at 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, Zach Hollis of the Oil City Arts Council said.

Proceeds from the animal friendly event, where people are invited to walk or run the 5K with their dog, will go to Precious Paws and the Venango County Humane Society, Hollis said.

“You don’t have to have a dog to participate…there has been some confusion about that. It is a pet friendly event,” Hollis said.

Doggie Reiki and a pet blessing will be held before the 5K, he said.

The 5K will be “out and back along the bike trail, highlighting a portion of the trail people don’t use as much,” Hollis said.

Later in the day, the Oil City Arts Council will hold its annual Jolly July 3rd activities from 5 to 10 p.m. in Justus Park.

The family-friendly event provides an evening of food, music and fun for all ages,

This year’s activities include a kids magic show, balloon animals, caricature drawings and a mechanical puppet demonstration.

There will also be food vendors and music, including a band — In Crowd — that hasn’t played in Oil City before, Hollis said.

In Crowd is a seven-piece band from the Jamestown, New York, area described as a party band with horns that plays a mix of popular hits from yesterday and today. The band is also known for its original music infused with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Latin soul and funk.

Local favorite Mostly Brass will also be returning this year.

The evening will be capped off with fireworks by Pyrotecnico sponsored by Oil City Firefighters Local 700.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

5 to 6 p.m. — music by Mostly Brass

5 to 5:30 p.m. — kids magic show by Real Magic Steve with balloon animals afterward

5 to 9 p.m. — free caricature drawings by John Manders

7 to 10 p.m. — music by In Crowd

10 p.m. — fireworks

In addition, Greg Wilson will tour his mechanical puppets around the park.

Hand sanitizing stations will also be available.

The Oil City Arts Council will post event updates on its Facebook page.