BERNARDSTON — The Bernardston Gas Engine Show, Flea Market & Craft Fair is gearing up for its second installment since being canceled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Set for Memorial Day weekend, the 47th annual event at Pratt Field has at least 55 vendors registered and will include crowd favorites like the kids’ tractor pull and tractor parades.
“It’s a good time,” said Logistics Chair Bob Allen. “You can go three or four times … and always see something different, because we have so many activities going on.”
The food booths are scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, and an auction and trivia night is set for 6 p.m.
Pratt Field, located at 257 South St., opens at 6 a.m. on Saturday for breakfast until 9:30 a.m., and the flea market and gas engine show start at 8 a.m. The kids’ tractor pull is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at which time the tractor parade begins. There is a ham and bean supper set for 5 to 6 p.m.
Moving into Sunday, breakfast will again begin at 6 a.m., and a worship service under the big top is set for 8 a.m. The flea market, craft fair and engine show start at 9 a.m. and a second tractor parade begins at 11 a.m. Raffle winners will be drawn at 1 p.m.
Allen noted there will be many more craftspeople running booths than in years past, and many more tractors, too. He said last year’s event welcomed about 4,000 visitors.
Held every Memorial Day weekend for 43 years until the pandemic began in 2020, the event usually serves as the United Church of Bernardston’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds support the church’s mission work.
Church member Michelle Rooks, who handles the event’s advertising and social media presence, said she got involved about 15 years ago after “seeing other people doing all the heavy lifting.”
“Last year was kind of experimental, just coming out of COVID,” she said. “I feel like we’re getting some real momentum. It feels like there’s a lot of enthusiasm this year.”
The festivities are always held rain or shine. Rooks said there was some precipitation last year, “but it didn’t seem to damper anyone’s spirits.”
More information is available on the Bernardston Gas Engine Show, Flea Market & Craft Fair’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BernardstonGasEngineShow. Donations to the United Church of Bernardston can be made at unitedchurchofbernardston.org.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.