The Gas Engine Show and Flea Market is one of the United Church of Bernardston's four major annual fundraisers and it makes up one-fifth of our operating budget.This event is held every Memorial Day weekend. 

The Gas Engine Show was started by Russ Deane forty-eight years ago as a flea market. Years later he was joined by Bud Streeter with gas engine exhibitors. Fast forward 48 years. We now have three acres of exhibitions and over 100 vendor sites. 

We have added a Craft Fair, auction, two food booth structures (for breakfast and hamburgers & hot dogs), tractor parade, ham & bean supper, major raffle, can raffle, tag sale (our own), pie booth, french fry booth, ice cream booth, baked potato booth/healthy options, and a banner row promoting our generous sponsors. In all, we have 25 divisions of one show, all run by our church volunteers. We entertain 6,000 to 8,000 people (depending on the weather) over three days. 

Six years ago, we took a poll and determined it took approximately 240 shifts/people to put on this event. Gas engines, putt-putts, one-lungers—whatever you want to call them—are rare, but our show is still very popular with people and exhibitors. We provide an inexpensive, educational and fun weekend for the community. Some call this a fundraiser. Others call it our biggest outreach. You decide. 

Thank you. 

Bob Allen

Logistics Chair