After many years of planning, a variety of small and large-scale events will take place throughout 2024 to celebrate the Town of Petrolia's 150th anniversary.
The town has a listed several activities on its website which will be held each month.
Director of Marketing, Arts, and Communications Laurissa Ellsworth said from what they have determined, Petrolia's actual anniversary is around January 9, 2024.
However, Ellsworth said the volunteer planning committee wanted to provide an array of opportunities for residents to get involved. Celebration will range from free movies nights and open skates to large ticketed events.
The organizing committee consists of 22 members, led by Chairperson Denise Thibeault. Ellsworth said they've been planning for next year's celebrations since 2018.
"It started as a small committee and then as we started working through it, we had so much interest from service clubs and other groups in the area," said Ellsworth.
Celebrations officially kicked off with a ticketed Opening Gala at Victoria Hall on January 1, 2024.
"In the true form of Petrolia, it's starting out the party at a building that is very well recognized in the community," Ellsworth said.
In June, Petrolia will host the provincial Town Criers Competition.
"That same weekend, we're also hosting another large-scale event at Greenwood Park. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to tell you what that is quite yet," teased Ellsworth. "That announcement is coming soon."
In August, the town will host a three-day event called "Hard Oil Music Festival" in Greenwood Park. Ellsworth said it will be similar to Bluewater BorderFest. Tickets will go on sale in December, but Petrolia residents will get first priority before sales open to the general public.
A Petrolia 150 Parade will also be held on August 17 where the RCAF Snowbirds will fly over the town to mark the occasion.
The last big event for the year will take place on December 31, 2024 with a family-friendly closing party at Greenwood Recreation Centre. The party will move outdoors at 8 p.m. for a fireworks display.
"For us, the biggest goal is to make sure it involves as many members of our community as possible, whether it be volunteers or participants," said Ellsworth. "We're trying to look and plan for things that do not limit attendance based on financial position. We're trying to make sure that in the future, people can look back and see a celebration that was planned in honour of the residents."
Ellsworth said celebrations from the sesquicentennial milestone will also leave an imprint on the town with a band shell at Victoria Park. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in May and in late June, when flowers are in full bloom, a dedication ceremony will take place at the Indigenous Friendship Garden located at the band shell.
A Petrolia 150 Mosaic Mural project that will also be unveiled in the historic downtown. Details have yet to be announced.
Ellsworth said artists have been selected after the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership called for portfolio submissions in July.