The Independent

The people who organized a year of celebration for Petrolia’s 150th birthday are now being celebrated.

Mayor Brad Loosley named the Petrolia 150 Volunteer Committee the Volunteers of the Year.

“Volunteerism is one of the most important factors in community building, and Petrolia is among the most fortunate for the number of volunteers, and the number of hours that those people share with our community,” says Loosley in honouring the group.

Loosley estimates the number of volunteer hours for the Petrolia 150 events has been estimated around 25,660 hours and about 16,980 hours of planning.

Loosley hailed the group for their work that left nothing to chance.

“Volunteers are absolutely so important to Petrolia, and personally, I feel so grateful to be at many of these events with you seeing our resident’s pride in Petrolia and visitors seeing our special town for what it is – a community,” added Deputy Mayor Joel Field. 

The Petrolia 150 Celebrations by the Numbers

• 558 celebration certificates were issued for birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones.
• 478 individual events took place in 2024 in Petrolia
• With the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, the signature events, and the 150 events it is estimated that Petrolia played host to nearly 100,000 visitors in 2024
• The number of volunteer hours for the Petrolia 150 events alone, has been estimated around 25,660 hours for a volunteer roster of approximately 100 people in 2024 – about 256.6 hours per volunteer.
• This does not include the Petrolia 150 Committee commitment over six years. That number is estimated at 16,980 hours of planning, executing, and follow-up.
• We ate around 116 dozen cupcakes … or 1392 of them! Had 7 Slab Cakes, that feed around 100 people.