Oil Country Bluegrass Festival, Oil City PA

RE: Oil Country Bluegrass Festival to be held in Oil City on February 13,14 and 15, 2009 at The Arlington Hotel in Oil City

FROM: Ron Shoup, Co-Coordinator
Greetings and congratulations to Amy, Terry, Sandy and their many dedicated volunteers for such wonderful bluegrass festivals that so many of us had the pleasure to enjoy at Butler and Meadville! They were terrific!

The Oil Country Bluegrass Festival is shaping up nicely and we would welcome the participation of several additional bands. The band signed up so far include: The Dempseytown Ramblers, Outlive TheBlue, Grover and The Nighthawks, The Pine Valley Boys, The StillhousePickers, The Keister Family Band, Mountain Harmony, The Done Inn String Band, Wind River, The Allegheny String Band, The New Generation Bluegrass Band, The Doghouse Three, Backwoods Bluegrass, Church Street Blues, Full Steam Ahead, The Allegheny Drifters, The Clear Creek String Band, Well Strung, Francine and The Mountain Top Band, Family Pride, Bits and Pieces, Hidden Drive, Road Apple Ridge, The South Side String Dings and Brad Felland Friends.

It is amazing and wonderful that so many bluegrass bands are so big hearted and that they do so much to help charitable organizations or needy families.The Arlington Hotel in Oil City (814-677-1221) is about filled to capacity,but several rooms just opened up. Also, we have some rooms still reserved for bands, but you'll need to identify the band you are with when you call to access these rooms. Other area lodging options include: Super 8 Motel (about 5 miles South of Oil City on Rt. 8), 814-432-2101; the Holiday Inn Express in Cranberry(about 5 miles from Oil City on Rt. 257), 814-677-2640; or, the Quality Inn At Franklin (about 8 miles South of Oil City on Rt. 8), 814-437-3021.

We remind participating bands who intend to enter our OIL 150 Songwriting Competition held during the festival to submit your mail your applications to Ron Shoup, 11 Ellen Drive, Oil City, PA 16301 by Friday, January 31,2009, along with the title of the song and a CD or tape with the song on it.The completion will be judged on Saturday, Feb. 14, from noon to 1:00 p.m.during a live performance by participating bands.

Last year we had some elevator problems, but they have been fully renovated.The hotel restaurant is under new management and doing well, but other nearby dining options include The Yellow Dog Lantern, MacDonald's, Arby's,Double Play, Vito's and Connie's, Villa Italia, Subway, Famoore'sRestaurant, and a new restaurant at the location of the former Yesterday's Restaurant.

We are looking forward to a good turnout, good weather and splendid bluegrass pickin'.Best regards,

Ron Shoup(814)676-3465rshoup@csonline.net