When I was a kid, my uncle and grandfather worked in Oil City at factories with names like Pennzoil and Quaker State. Today, the factories are gone and my friends who live there are filmmakers and musicians.

So, next weekend, visitors will be forgiven if they can’t figure out where the “oil” in Oil City’s name came from. While often bathed in nostalgia for the good ol’ petro producing days, on Saturday, June 13th, the town looks to its future and explodes into vibrancy with The Third Annual Oil Region Indie Music and Art Festival from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Seneca Street.

Last year’s festival found me sprawled on a blanket with hands made greasy kebabs and pirogis (after all, Oil City is home of a store called pirogi palace!) as I watched children chase bubbles. It’s a comfortable place. Although tons of people show up, the festival has never developed that wall to wall people and corresponding territorial feel that a lot of other summer music festivals have.

This year, Independent musicians from all over western Pennsylvania will perform original work on two stages surrounded by Victorian architecture. In addition to the music, food and crafts, the National Transit Art Studios will be open to the public where artists will demonstrating everything from stained glass to reiki massage. The best part, of course, is everything is family friendly and free.

Check out Brad Yoder performing “Skyler” at the 2008 Oil Region Indie Music and Art Festival on YouTube.