XENIA, Ill., April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Local CITGO Marketer Knapp Oil Company, Inc. celebrated its roots in Southern Illinois with a grand opening and a series of Customer Appreciation Days at three of its Knapp CITGO locations. Approximately 6,000 customers helped the company open a new station in Harrisburg, Ill. and mark almost 10 years serving the Nashville, Ill. and Metropolis, Ill. communities.

"We are always looking for ways to give back to our loyal customers, and after the long winter we've had in Illinois, we thought this would be a good way to celebrate spring," said Chuck Knapp, president of Knapp Oil Company, Inc. "It was wonderful to see everyone so excited and enjoying the food, prizes and special pricing.

As part of the festivities, the three participating Knapp CITGO stations offered five cents off each gallon of gas. In addition, customers enjoyed nearly 150 pizzas, free fountain sodas and energy drinks and tastings of hard cider. Approximately 150 customers who signed up for the CITGO Rewards® Credit Card during one of the Customer Appreciation events also received a $5 CITGO Gift Card.

The Customer Appreciation Days took place at the following locations:

• April 9: Knapp CITGO Nashville at 17970 Mockingbird Rd.
• April 10: Knapp CITGO Metropolis at 1117 E. Fifth St.
• April 11: Knapp CITGO Harrisburg at 614 S. Commercial St.

Knapp Oil extended the celebration by picking a raffle winner and Amy Stovall, a regular customer at the Knapp CITGO in Harrisburg, won a Kindle Fire.

"Our company has been part of this community for more than 80 years and we are always looking for ways to make a difference. We're blessed with employees who constantly strive to give the customer the best experience, while also volunteering their own personal time and energy in support of organizations that will have a lasting positive impact on the future of the neighborhoods we serve," added Knapp.

Founded in 1933, Knapp Oil is a family-owned business that has continued to grow. In 1995, Knapp Oil became one of the first major CITGO suppliers in Southern Illinois. The company currently operates 12 CITGO locations across the state. Knapp Oil provides all its customers "The Knapp Advantage" by remaining on top of its game and working very hard to find the best products and competitive prices for its customers.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of nearly 6,000 locally owned CITGO stations. Local CITGO Marketers and Retailers, such as Knapp Oil own and operate nearly 350 locations across Illinois and are proud to support their neighborhoods through events like Customer Appreciation Days.

Based in Houston, CITGO is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO