Festival officials of the 25th ‘Old Gas Engine Show,’ an
event of the West Virginia Oil and Gas Festival in Sisters-ville,
have labeled the September 16-19 event a huge success.
Engine Show Chairman Web Anderson reports that this year’s
show set records for the oldest running engine show in West
Virginia. One hundred seventy six engine owners registered, and
with them came 306 engines, 90 models, 11 tractors, 16-plus engine
related exhibits and one trailer display.
‘We had thirteen different states represented, and two other
states (New York and Missouri) and Canada looking us over. This
says a lot about our engine show,’ stated Anderson.
The thirteen states represented were: Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida,
Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee and West Virginia.
The festival has put together around fifty different events,
everything from a fiddle contest to arts and crafts. One event that
some of the engines took part in was the ‘Grand Oil and Gas
Trophy Parade.’ Ralph Smith of Plain City, Ohio, took top
honors in the parade. He won with his 1904, 15 HP Sistersville
Reid, which was part of a special display along with other
Sistersville Reids, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the
festival and show.
Another special engine exhibit was the pumping jack showing the
way oil was pumped from the ground. This exhibit belonged to Bob
Anderson of Marietta, Ohio.
Plans have already started on our 26th Old Gas Engine Show. The
dates are September 15-18, at the Sistersville City Park. We plan
to make room for more engines, so come on to our 1994 show. One
thing we want to remind everyone about you will be able to camp
with your engines if you wish.
Web Anderson, of New Martinsville, WV, Chairman for this
year’s ‘Old Gas Engine Show,’ poses with his trailer
exhibit.
Leroy Howell, of Middlebourne, WV, is shown with his 8 HP Spang
engine. Howell has attended 20 of the 25 engine shows in
Sistersville.
Next year will also mark the 100th Anniversary of The Wells Inn.
The owners are planning a big blow out. Something no one should
miss.
‘Our festival committee has talked to a lot of people who
were at this year’s engine show, to find out their likes and
dislikes. One thing that keeps coming up is the fact that there is
something going on for the whole family: entertainment, contests,
exhibits, games, food booths, give-a-ways and the list goes on and
on,’ reported Anderson.
Anyone wishing information about the 1994 ‘Old Gas Engine
Show’ can write to Web Anderson at P.O. Box 25, Sistersville,
West Virginia 26175. Ask for engine show information.
