Oil City, a little more than an hour's drive from downtown Butler in Venango County, started as an oil boom town in the 1860s and became a city in 1871. This weekend's 21st annual Christmas Past celebration honors past traditions while looking to promote the area's future.

The weekend of activities begins Friday evening with a Christmas tree lighting in the town square and a meet and greet with Santa himself. There's a full schedule of family-friendly activities through Sunday afternoon.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk on Saturday at 9 a.m. The run has been associated with the festival since 2012 and has followed the same course since 2014.

Jingle Bell 5k starts at the town square and follows a scenic and nearly flat course from downtown, through a residential section and onto the paved Justus Trail near Oil City Marina. The only hill on the out-and-back course is the approach to Veteran's Bridge which crosses Oil Creek near downtown.

Kathy Bailey, Director of Oil City Main Street Program, is excited to hold the race in person this year after last year's virtual event. She anticipates a good turnout for the event, which typically draws 85 to 120 runners and walkers.

Costumes aren't required but Kathy says they add to the fun. “A good many dress up,” she says. “We have elves, reindeer, a snowman or two, gingerbread men and a few Santas. And people wear bright colors for the holidays.”

The mayor, William Moon, will dress as Santa to give the runners a send-off and this year The Grinch will run the entire race. Strollers are welcome in the event but dogs are not since the course becomes too narrow on the Justus Trail portion.

While Jingle Bell 5k emphasizes the festive nature of the holiday, it does reward those who come to compete. Men's and women's course records on the current course were both set in 2015. Matthew Puleio, first male finisher, ran 17:07 while first female Savannah Carr finished in 20:38. Top three male and female finishers as well as winners in age groups from 13-under through 70-plus earn awards. All participants have a chance to win one of two dozen random drawing prizes.

Runners are welcome to start their warm-ups at nearby Trailasana Yoga Studio which offers a 45-minute yoga stretch to Christmas music at 7 a.m. Trailasana offers the same post-race at 10 a.m.

Kids of all ages are welcome to participate in a 1/4-mile kids race which begins at 8:45 a.m. All kids earn a medal and a prize for their efforts.

Proceeds from Jingle Bell 5k benefit Oil City Main Street Program and its efforts to revitalize downtown Oil City. The organization partners with various local entities to highlight or enhance Oil City's arts, recreation, business and entertainment opportunities and to make downtown a welcoming and attractive destination for residents and visitors.

In addition to the Christmas Past celebration, Oil City Main Street Program partners with Oil City's Arts Council to present First Night on Dec. 31, conducts seasonal wine walks and participates in Bridgefest in August, Summer Concert Series, and Oil Heritage Festival which celebrates its 44th year in July.

It's not too late to register for this Saturday's Jingle Bell 5k, but commemorative t-shirts are not guaranteed. Sign up online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCJingleBellRun5k. Day of event registration opens at 7:45 a.m. at the town square.

For a complete schedule of Oil City's 21st Christmas Past activities and events, visit http://www.oilcitymainstreet.org/.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Oil City's Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. Dress festive. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCJingleBellRun5kSaturday, 9 a.m.: 2021 Ugly Sweater 5k Fun Run, Ellwood City.Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza 5k, Vandergrift. Tossle cap to each finisher. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vandergrift/VandergriftBackWhenHolidayExtravaganza5Sunday, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. Competitive awards and awards for best Christmas costumes. 724-992-9154 or clintpullermemorial@gmail.comDecember 11, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Lots of swag in this holiday themed fun run through Graham Park. Dress festive! runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownshipDecember 11, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. If the park is closed because of inclement weather, race will be cancelled. erierunners.club/event/snowflake-5k-2-2021-12-11/2021-12-11/December 16, 5 p.m.: Holiday Lights Charity Run, Pittsburgh. Benefits Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans. www.fleetfeet.com/s/pittsburgh/events-2/fleet-feet-holiday-lights-runDecember 19, 10 a.m.: New Florence Festivus 5k, New Florence. Run, walk or ruck. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5kDecember 31, 2 p.m.: Beaver County YMCA New Year's Eve 5k, Beaver. Starts at Beaver High School. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCANewYearsEve5kDecember 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights of Lakemont Park in heats with walking heat at 5 P.M. www.blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/race-series/December 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Part of New Year's Eve celebration with ball drop at 6 P.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5KDecember 31, 4:15 p.m. Harmony Silvester 1 Mile, Harmony. All 1-Mile runners receive a finisher's medal. Parents may run with kids for free. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5KJanuary 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year's Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. erierunners.club/event/erc-new-years-day-5m-race/January 1, 11 a.m.: New Year's Resolution Run 5k and 1 Mile, Oakdale. Out and back run on Panhandle Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/NewYearsResolutionRun5Kand1MileFamilyFunWalk?remMeAttempt=January 2, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Allison Park. Stars at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/WolfCreekResolutionRunJanuary 2, 2 p.m.: Rockin in the New Year, Remembering Jordan Adams, St. Marys. Separate start for male and female runners. 814-594-7126 or barbiepsu@hotmail.comJanuary 8, 10 a.m.: 6th Annual Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ResolutionRun5KwctcJanuary 9, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Ime rial race in Prickett's Fort State Park. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fairmont/RuntoReadHalfMarathon

St. Greg Great Pumpkin 5k, October 24: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 18:15; Canaan Sauers, 2nd Overall M, 18:50; Katie Kovacic, 1st Overall W, 22:45; Caroline Huffnagle, 2nd Overall W, 22:47; Diane Speicher, 3rd Overall W, 22:51; Mark Speicher, 1st 30-39 M, 19:10; Jacob Birchok, 2nd 11-14 M, 21:12; Henry Buchanon, 3rd 11-14 M, 21:27; John Urban, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:35; Kevin May, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:58; Ella Butterfield, 1st 15-19 W, 24:37; Luke Lariviere, 2nd 10 & Under M, 25:09; Lucas Martin, 3rd 10 & Under M, 25:10; Naomi Sauers, 3rd 11-14 W, 25:37; Michael Deem, 3rd 40-49 M, 26:33; Alice Anderson, 1st 10 & Under W, 26:54; Dana Hoover, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:26; Chloe Boosel, 2nd 10 & Under W, 27:44; Judy Wehr, 1st 50-59 W, 27:55; Jane Pudlo, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:59; Katelyn Collins, 3rd 30-39 W, 28:09; Chrysal Zinkham, 1st 40-49 W, 28:59; Barbara Mccandless, 3rd 50-59 W, 29:04; Mark Kujala, 3rd 50-59 M, 29:10; Alexis Birchok, 3rd 10 & Under M, 29:13; Virginia Morlino, 3rd 40-49 W, 31:24; Katelyn Buchanan, 2nd 15-19 W, 32:27; Michelle Baxa, 1st 20-29 W, 41:54; Cindy Haney, 2nd 60-69 W, 48:28; Ian Maloney, 22:26; Patrick Horton, 22:30; Lincoln Martin, 22:34; Andrew Deem, 23:00; Zachary Porter, 23:01; John Kovacic, 24:10; Cayden Mohler, 25:12; Jerry Porter, 25:27; Annabella Policella, 25:48; Mariah Martin, 25:50; Christian Meyer, 27:10; Luke Kovacic, 27:14; Lucas Porter, 27:15; Corbet Martin, 28:07; Tim Maloney, 28:32; Derek Hicks, 29:20; Sara Porter, 29:24; Jonathan Birchok, 29:27; Matthew Brittner, 29:38; Jessica Carpenter, 29:38; Andrew Lariviere, 29:54; Nick Hoover, 30:12; Andrew Moulton, 31:33; Krista Price, 31:50; Emily Birchok, 32:56; Owen Fitzgerald, 33:01; Michael Fitzgerald, 33:04; Sara Palmer, 33:18; Lydia Pierce, 33:18; Herb Brittner, 33:54; Danielle Rich, 34:52; Nicole Brittner, 35:07; Matt Buchwald, 35:43; Michael Anderson, 35:44; Rosie Anderson, 35:45; Charles Hufnagle, 38:09; Amy Buchwald, 40:09; Mike Baxa, 41:52; Eleanor Dietrick, 45:19; Kevin Dietrick, 45:20; Jim Haney, 48:28; Frank Longobardi, 59:59St. Greg Great Pumpkin 1 Mile, Ocober 24: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 4:51; Judah Sauers, 2nd Overall M, 5:24; Logan Rogers, 3rd Overall M, 5:38; Abigail Hennen, 1st Overall W, 6:31; Emily Harmanos, 2nd Overall W, 6:34; David Bruni, 1st 50-59 M, 6:23; Abigail Hennen, 1st Overall W, 6:31; Emily Harmanos, 2nd Overall W, 6:34; James Urban, 1st 7-10 M, 6:39; Michael Buchanan, 2nd 40-49 M, 7:23; Luke Kovacic, 2nd 7-10 M, 7:25; Landen Hoover, 3rd 7-10 M, 7:25; Luke Urban, 1st 6 & Under M, 8:26; Lillian Mowry, 2nd 7-10 W, 7:51; Zoe Faller, 3rd 7-10 W, 8:11; Emmalynn Kaufman, 1st 6 & Under W, 8:26; Norah Mowrey, 2nd 6 & Under W, 8:46; Mike Faller, 3rd 40-49 M, 8:47; Emily Mowrey, 1st 30-39 W, 8:47; Todd Mowrey, 1st 30-39 M, 8:47; Asher Buchanan, 1st 11-14 M, 8:49; Brigid Boosel, 3rd 6 & Under W, 9:04; Jack Boosel, 2nd 6 & Under M, 9:08; Katie Boosel, 2nd 30-39 W, 9:08; Nicole Sloka, 2nd 40-49 W, 9:17; Heather Bane, 3rd 30-39 W, 9:41; Matthew Dudash, 1st 15-19 M, 9:45; Isaac Homison, 2nd 11-14 M, 10:08; Christine Fitzgerald, 3rd 40-49 W, 10:19; David Sloka, 3rd 6 & Under M, 10:21; Kathy Sims, 1st 50-59 W, 10:58; Veronica Homison, 2nd 11-14 W, 11:34; Maddie Harmanos, 3rd 11-14 W, 11:59; Tami Bruni, 2nd 50-59 W, 12:37; Sam Buchwald, 3rd 15-29 M, 13:54; Mary Ann Thompson, 1st 70+ W, 14:01; Sharon Black, 3rd 70+ W, 17:43; Teresa Conforti, 2nd 60-69 W, 20:28; Levi Buchanan, 7:33; Mary Lariviere, 8:25; Kendal Fitzgerald, 9:35; Rylin Porter, 9:41; Addison Kovacic, 9:42; Katelyn Hoover, 9:43; Jason Boosel, 9:45; Jen Schellhammer, 9:46; Kendall Schellhammer, 9:47; Mathieu Sloka, 10:08; Scott Sloka, 10:22; Jacob Grobe, 10:38; Joel Grobe,10:42; Penelope Newton, 11:17; Levi Mersing, 11:24; Blake Birckbichler, 11:28; Brian Birckbichler, 11:28; Emerson Speicher, 11:51; Ayla Kennedy, 11:52; Jack Anderson, 11:53; Katie Anderson, 11:53; Elizabeth Moulton, 11:58; Andrew Moulton, 11:58; Michael Behun, 12:17; Amy Behun, 12:18; Michael Sanders, 12:24; Chandler Sanders, 12:26; Isa Haggart, 12:40; Carmen Homison, 12:41; Doria Newton, 13:03; Joseph Newton, 13:05; Sofia Haggart, 13:14; Nadia Buchwald, 13:42; Emma-Liza Buchanan, 13:55; Charlie Sanders, 14:52; Candace Sanders, 14:54; Colin Ray, 14:55; Lauren Ray, 14:56; Liam Ray, 14:56; Celia Buchanan, 14:59; George Ray, 15:05; Elena Sparacino, 15:32; Miranda Sparacino, 15:32; Chloe Boosel, 15:37; Rosie Anderson, 15:38; Emily Birchok, 15:42; Jacob Birchok, 15:47; Christian Meyer, 15:54; Hannah Thomas, 15:56; Jessica Brown, 16:21; Danny Brown, 16:23; Vincent Thomas, 17:05; Deepa Jose, 17:05; Emmett Moore, 20:28.Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.