Ohio’s Newest Gas Engine Shows

By Staff
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Wayne Boyd with his dog on an 1880 dog treadmill and butter churn.
Wayne Boyd with his dog on an 1880 dog treadmill and butter churn.

661 Oak Hill, Wooster, Ohio 44691

Nestled in the heart of Holmes County’s ‘Amish
Country,’ Whispering Hills Recreation, Inc. was host to two of
the area’s largest antique gas engine and power shows during
the Plain and Fancy Fair, August 6-7, 1994, and the Apple Dumpling
Festival, October 8-9, 1994. In addition to the annual arts and
crafts, apple butter making, cider pressing, nature displays, food,
and varied entertainment, this past year a new and larger area of
the 250 acre park was reserved for the antique power shows.

At the August show, 99 gas engines, 7 tractors, 18 models, and
several miscellaneous related items, along with 29 featured IHC
engines, were on display. During the October show, 71 exhibitors
from Canada, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio displayed 178 gas
engines, 8 tractors, and numerous related items. Thirty-two
featured Hercules-built engines were included among the displays,
thanks to the combined efforts of several individuals, but
especially Wayne Boyd, Bill and Elmer Sherwin, Mike Smith, and my
wife Deb. Plaques were provided to each exhibitor, with special
plaques for exhibitors of featured engines. In addition, antique
power show exhibitors were provided free overnight camping
privileges, free Sunday lunch, and a free apple dumpling.

Located between 75 and 100 miles south of Cleveland, east of
Columbus, north of Charleston, West Virginia, and west of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Whispering Hills Recreation, Inc. prides
itself in its quiet, natural surroundings on the edge of Ohio’s
glacial boundary. In addition to nearly 300 campsites, the park has
a restaurant, pavilion, camp store, pool, basketball, tennis and
volleyball courts, horseshoes, nature trails, nature museum, hay
rides, and entertainment for everyone.

Two antique power shows are again planned for 1995: during the
annual Plain and Fancy Fair, August 5-6, 1995 and the annual Apple
Dumpling Festival, October 7-8, 1995. Antique gas engine exhibitors
are invited to attend these two-day events. The ‘popping and
cracking’ of the engines echoing through the hills will again
be a welcome sound at Whispering Hills.

Featured engine for the August 1995 show will be Stover, and for
the October 1995 show it will be Fairbanks-Morse. We would like to
have all our friends join us during these weekends of endless
activities. Admission for the engine exhibitors and the public is
free.

Anyone wishing additional information regarding the gas engine
shows may write to Mike Wall, c/o Whispering Hills Recreation,
Inc., P.O. Box 607, Shreve, Ohio 44676.

  • Published on May 1, 1995
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