HILLSVILLE, Va. — Now in its 42nd year and going strong, the Hillsville VFW is gearing up for its annual gun show and flea market to be held Labor Day weekend.

Bill Davis, VFW post commander, said that with gas prices being lower than $4 a gallon, which is what gas was last Labor Day, he is expecting a good crowd if the weather is good.

“We’re renting a lot of spaces, we are ahead of last year. It appears to me that we are farther ahead than we were last year. The economy is better. At least gas prices are better than last year. If we have super good weather, we will have a super good show,” Davis said.

More than 600 vendors have signed up to attend.

The VFW sells tickets to the park for $1 each. Children younger than 12 are admitted free. The show starts at 7 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The show closes up around 6 p.m. each day.

“People come out all day in the heat and by the time 6 o’clock rolls around, they are wore out,” he said.

“Most of the people just keep coming back year after year. We have a lot of gun dealers, junk dealers, antiques, glasswares, lots of collector items, guns, knives and coins. We have most anything you are looking for,” Davis said.

The VFW charges $5 per car to park. Its lot is off U.S. 52 beside the Victory Way Baptist Church.

Davis said people come to the show from all across the United States.

While the gun show and flea market draws folks from all around, many locals look forward to going every year.

Judy Tilley of Ararat said her husband, who works for Pepsi, goes every year trying to track down collectibles.

“Dennis and his friend go every year looking for old items of Pepsi, of course they go on Sunday early and spend half the day. You can find any thing you want, the food is great, and usually you run into someone you know. Just be prepared to do a lot of walking,” said Tilley.

Debbie Smith of Mount Airy said she goes to the show every year.

“I love the Hillsville Gun Show. You can find anything you are looking for. It’s just so amazing to look down the street and see so many people, and you meet people from all over the place not to mention the wonderful food that they have. The kettle corn is the bomb. It’s worth going rain or shine,” said Smith.

Mitchell Poole said that his family goes to the flea market every year, but his wife made other plans this year.

“My family goes to the beach at least once every year, but after busy summer work travel and a big vacation trip to Orlando, we have not made it to the beach this year. My beach-loving wife wanted to change things up for Labor Day this year and go to the beach, but the Hillsville Flea Market remains our Labor Day destination,” said Poole.

“I started going when I was in my teens over 25 years ago and have been going every year since. I never miss it. The Hillsville Flea Market has lots of great finds for everyone. If you leave without finding lots of stuff of interest, then you must not have looked very hard.”

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.