P.O. Box 25, Sistersville, WV 26175
The 17th Annual Old Gas Engine Show, September 14th and 15th in
Sistersville, West Virginia, an event of the West Virginia Oil
& Gas Festival, set a record in two different areas in the
number of engines exhibited and in the number of states
represented.
Arthur Shreves, show chairman, reported that there were 337
engines registered during the two-day show and eight different
states represented. The states were New York, Kentucky, Ohio, West
Virginia, Indiana, Virginia, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Shreves also stated, ‘Many of the engine owners were at the
grounds at the Sistersville City Park as much as a week before the
show. They like to come and get a good spot, visit each other and
rest up for the week end.’
Engine exhibitors are not charged admission for camping or
parking. They receive a small plaque about the show and are
provided gas and oil for their engines if needed. These expenses
are paid for by the sponsors of the show. This year’s sponsors
were: The Wiser Oil Co. of Sistersville, Quaker State Oil Refining
Corp. of Oil City, Pa and of St. Marys, W. Va., and Coopers Energy
Service of Grove City, Pa.
Plans have already started on the 1986 show, which will be held
on September 13th and 14th.
During this year’s festival, engine owners were treated to
such entertainment as the U.S. Navy Country-Bluegrass Band from
Washington, D.C. and five other Country groups; also such events as
the Gas Hog Mud Bog, Grand Oil & Gas Trophy Parade, Talent
Contest, West Virginia Marble Shooting Contest, Oil & Gas
Band-a-rama, Art-Craft-Photo Exhibits, Country Store, Flea Market,
Antique Auto Show, Fireworks Display, Little Sister Mile Run, Big
Moses Distance Run, West Virginia Wristwrestling Championships, Rod
& Custom Show, Fiddle Contest, Tug-of-War, Gib Morgan Wrench
Throwing Contest, Silent Auction, and much much more.
Shreves was asked why the Old Gas Engine Show has grown so large
from the first pickup truck load of engines into what it is today.
His answer was simple, ‘We all have a good time for the whole
family.’
