The annual Black Gold Fest, held at the Oil Museum of Canada, will be "extra special" this year as Lambton County marks its 175th anniversary.
Lambton County Museums and Archives Marketing and Events Coordinator Jessica Stevenson said the summertime tradition has been running as Black Gold Fest for over a decade and they typically see between 300 and 400 attendees.
"Oil heritage is such a huge part of Lambton's story and events like Black Gold Fest help us share that," Stevenson said.
New this year, a historical interpreter will play James Miller Williams, the man who established the first commercial oil well in North America.
"The site of that first well from 1858 is on our museum grounds," she said.
Shows with the interpreter will be held at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
The family-friendly event will also include live music, face painting, blacksmith demonstrations, and crafts.
Local food and drink vendors will also be on site. A list of vendors can be found on the museum's website.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted to support ongoing operations and programming at the museum.
Black Gold Fest will be held on Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Stevenson encouraged residents to attend the event, however, those who are unable to can still visit the site for free at a later date. In celebration of Lambton County's milestone anniversary, admission to the Oil Museum is free for residents throughout 2024.
