Oildorado, the celebration of Taft's 95th anniversary, has come and gone.  The ten-day Oildorado celebration was a busy, exciting and fun time at the Museum.  From Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 23, we registered over 300 "Old Timers", and while some visitors just came in to register and pick up their name badges, many stayed to tour the buildings and grounds and enjoy the refreshments prepared by our volunteers.

The first of three Museum events was the beautiful and heartwarming opening of the KTKR Exhibit.  A large crowd filled the B.V. Room to greet Kenneth Aitken, former manager and general partner of KTKR, and to reminisce about the radio station and the very popular program of the 1950's "Relaxin with Jackson".  this exhibit has proven to be very popular, and thanks to George Tschumy, who along with ken Aitken was a founding partner in KTKR, we have five CD's of those very pleasing tunes of the period, which played continually while the Museum was open.  The exhibit and the music made for a very happy atmosphere.  we even caught a few visitors dancing away thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Mary Lee Smith, widow of the very popular "Jackson" (Jack Smith) was also a special and honored guest.

The Dedication of the new Derrick on Friday, October 21, was a wonderful celebration.   Those taking part in the program included Pete Gianopulos, master of ceremonies, Larry Peahl, historian and member of the very first Museum Board of Directors, Ron Bracken, current Board chairman, Don Kinzel and Keith Bracke, the men who built the new derrick, and Dorothy Gardner, Museum treasurer and Board member.  Huell Howser, of Public TV Channel KCET in Los Angeles, was a special guest and he, along with about 300 others, enjoyed the beautiful day, the happy crowd, the program, ribbon cutting, and ice cream social that followed.  Mr. Howser and Cameron (his camera man) recorded several interviews and pictures of the derrick.  they will be included in a program to be shown on KCET sometime in January.  Sorry, we don't yet know the exact date.   Every night during the ten days of Oildorado, the derrick was lit from the floor up with a very bright single bulb halogen light.  It was indeed a spectacular sight.

Following the Grand Parade on Saturday morning, October 23, a huge crowd arrived at the Museum to enjoy the large and beautiful gas engine display, blacksmith Joe Fregeau demonstrating his blacksmithing, the manicured Museum grounds, and the new derrick. The Living History demonstrations put on by the students from the Taft High School Oil Technology Academy were, as always, enjoyed, and this year we had special musical entertainment in the gazebo performed by Taft native Mike Finny and Deane Stanton.   we served nearly 400 barbecue dinners, but ran out of food.  All in all, Oildorado was a great experience.

Click here for pictures from Oildorado Events at the Museum.