October 21, 2009 - Slide on your boots and put on your best cowboy hat - Oildale is 100 years old! And, on Nov. 6 and 7, Trout's nightclub and the Public History Institute at California State University, Bakersfield will host a kick-off concert and conference in conjunction with the centennial celebration of metropolitan Bakersfield's closest unincorporated neighbor.

The celebration starts Friday, Nov. 6 at Trout's historic honky-tonk with a live performance by Rockwell's Blackboard Playboys and a special appearance by local singer-songwriting legend Red Simpson. The evening includes free dance lessons, historic displays and a $10 barbecue dinner. Doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is free until 8 p.m. After 8 p.m. a $5 cover charge applies. You must be at least 21 years old to attend the kick-off event.

The centennial observance continues on Saturday, Nov. 7 with CSUB hosting a conference, "Oildale and Beyond: Interpreting the Region Through Words, Images and Music," from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the university campus. The event features photos, books, and document exhibits, along with presentations exploring numerous aspects of the history of Oildale. The conference will be highlighted by a live interview and special performance by Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Merle Haggard, along with a keynote address by author Gerald Haslam - both native sons of Oildale.

To learn more about the conference or to register, visit www.csub.edu/history and download the registration form. Registration is $30, $25 for senior citizens (65 and over) and $20 for students. Conference fees include a continental breakfast, deli sandwich lunch and snacks.