The West Kern Oil Museum (WKOM) has announced a lineup of fall and winter events to complement its 50th anniversary celebration.
The first event in the lineup is STEM Fest & Touch-A-Truck which will be hosted at WKOM on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This family-friendly event will highlight science, technology, engineering and mathematics while giving children the opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences.
The Taft College STEM program will bring STEM trailers, robotics, 3D printing, and experiments. C&J Well Services will offer a vacuum truck, a catalyst coil unit and a winch truck. Tickets are $5 per person and are available at the gate on the day of the event.
Moving into October, WKOM will host its annual Boomtown Days on October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this free event, sponsored by Public Production Services, families can play fall-themed yard games, take fall-themed photographs in the gazebo, pick a pumpkin, shop at the fall vendor fair, and enjoy a pot roast lunch. “The 1970s: Memory Trail,” an art exhibition featuring local artists, will also be on display.
At each of these events, guests can also explore the grounds to learn more about the history of the West Side and how the oil boom affected how people lived and continue to live in the area. One of the museum’s newest exhibits, The Vintage Garage, will be on display. The garage displays a 1924 Ford Model T Touring, a 1919 Ford Model T Pickup, a 1920 Dodge Touring, a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor, a 1915 Ford Model T Touring, and a 1926 Ford Model T Fordor along with vintage photos. . This gallery was created thanks to Mr. Ken Cooper.
For their latest 50th anniversary event, WKOM asks you to dress to impress at the Black Gold Gala presented by California Resources Corporation. This will be the culmination of WKOM’s 50th anniversary. The party will be held at the Oildorado Event Center on Saturday, December 2 from 7pm-11pm and will feature specialty cocktails, live and silent auctions, a DJ, a photo booth and more. The committee is currently looking for sponsors and donations for the auction.
The West Kern Oil Museum has been preserving the history and culture of the West Side for 50 years as one of the few museums in California that offers free admission to all who wish to visit. The committee is hard at work on event plans as well as seeking partners, donors and sponsors to make 2023 an exciting and memorable year for the West Kern Oil Museum and the community it serves.
If you are interested in helping the West Kern Oil Museum in its efforts to make 2023 a year to remember, please email us at westkernoilmuseum@gmail.com or call Arianna Mace at (661)623-0077.
50th anniversary events calendar
STEM Festival and Touch-A-Truck
Saturday 16 September
9 am 1 pm
The boomtown days
Saturday 14 October
10am – 4pm
Liquid gold
Saturday 2 December
From 7 pm to 11 pm
About the West Kern Oil Museum
The West Kern Oil Museum plays a vital role in preserving the history, culture and heritage of the area. Located in Taft, California, this museum is a tribute to a time long past and pays tribute to those who have impacted and dedicated their lives to the West Kern area. The West Kern Oil Museum is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the culture of the region through unique exhibits with an emphasis on history and future discoveries. For information about the West Kern Oil Museum, please visit www.westkernoilmuseum.org/events-programs and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
