However From spring to fall, the Great Smoky Mountains is the site of car shows –also known as rod runs – where automobile enthusiasts bring their vehicles out to display.
Car shows are for car enthusiasts showing off their pride and joy, for collectors displaying the best of their high-dollar purchases and for anyone interested in shiny things with motors. I promise you don’t have to know anything about cars to enjoy a show.
Many shows also have vendors, food, swap-meets and more to enjoy.
Check out the list of this year’s shows and plan your Smoky Mountain vacation!
Ponies In The Smokies
March 20-25 Ponies in the Smokies
Presented by National Parts Depot, Ponies in the Smokies is a Mustang enthusiast’s dream with driving school, a drifting clinic, and drag racing at English Mountain Dragway. Check out the schedule here and the location – Sevierville Convention Center, 202 Gists Creek Road.
The first production Mustang was launched 5 months before the start of the typical 1965 production year – March 9th, 1964, at the production plant in Dearborn, MI. These early models were unveiled in April of 1964 at the New York World’s Fair . Later in August 1964, the true 1965 model began production at its normal timing with minor design updates from what was called the “1964 ½” model, according to the Joe Cotton Ford website.
Corvette Expo
March 23-24 Spring Corvette Expo
The Corvette, first introduced as a convertible in 1953 as a concept car, is known as “America’s Car.” It is currently the only two-seat sports car produced by a major United States auto manufacturer and it serves as Chevrolet’s halo vehicle – a favorite among customers.
The Corvette Expo celebrates all things Corvette. There will be a swamp meet, sales corral, park n’ show, Diamond awards show and so many corvettes.
Held at LeConte Center at 2986 Teaster Lane in Pigeon, the Spring Corvette Expo has been held for more than 45 years. More than 500 cars and more than 100 vendors make an appearance. Check out the schedule.
On March 24, take your Corvette and Cruise the Dragon with more than 400 other Corvettes. The 56.3-mile cruise is not a race. Read more about the Tail of the Dragon. https://youtu.be/80D_RkVInh4
Expo Info
For more information: Corvette Expo Information
Registration: Vendors, Show Cars, Sales Corral
Phone: 865-352-2701
Show Information:
info@corvetteexpo.com
Mailing Address:
H&J Promotions
PO Box 52452
Knoxville, TN 37950
LeConte Center is located at 2986 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge.
Chevelles in the Smokies
March 24 Chevelles in the Smokies
In its 5th year, Chevelles in the Smokies Showdown is presented by Horsepower and Hot Rods at LeConte Center. This year’s showdown will be held in conjunction with the Spring Corvette Expo.
500 one-dollar coins in a Crystal Bowl will go to the “Best Chevelle in the Smokies.” Only 18 of the Nations finest Chevelles will compete. Entrants will receive a collector garage sign, and winners will receive prizes such as trophies, dash plaques, winners decals, special awards and cash. Following the presentation, they are selecting winners in the following categories: “Best of Show” and “The Most Outstanding Chevelle in the Smokies.”
Rod Run
April 13-15 Pigeon Forge Rod Run – Spring
Sept. 14-16 Fall Rod Run
Join the many automotive enthusiasts at the Pigeon Forge Rod Run, the area’s largest automotive event. The spring event features top 25 awards, ultimate 5 awards, a huge swapmeet with hundreds of showcars and car corral, and a cash giveaway – all held at the LeConte Center.
Checkered Racing, Metal Brothers, Dave’s Truck Parts, Smoky Mountain Trailers, ASA Performance, Flatwood Customs, Farris Insurance Agency, and ET Motogear will sponser this years event. Plus, the only official event apparel for the Pigeon Forge Rod Run is ET Motogear.
Show Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Awards Presentation: They will present awards in the Greenbriar Room at the LeConte Center on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Admission: The cost of admission is $15 per day and per person. You can also purchase a 3-day pass for $35 on Thursday. Tickets are sold on site and not in advance. However, they will not accept credit cards. There will be 2 ATMs on site.
History Of the Rod Run
The Rod Run originated in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the 1970s as an unofficial event hosted by a car club from Maryville called “Shades Of The Past.” In 1982, the event moved north to the Grand Hotel in Pigeon Forge was named The Grand Run.
In 1986 another change was introduced and the event split in two. The Grand Run remained at the Grand Hotel and Shades Of The Past became its own event at a new location. MCS Promotions took over the Grand Run event in 1991, and at the time the only show was in September – now known as the Fall Rod Run. Then, four years later, in 1995, the spring show was added. In 2014, they renamed both shows The Pigeon Forge Rod Run.
April 27-29 Smoky Mountain Sweet Dreams Car and Motorcycle Show
Car and Motorcycle Show
Presented by K&K Hotrods, Smoky Mountain Sweet Dreams is a place to show off your precious hotrod. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, each day, the Townsend Visitors Center will play host to the car and motorcycle show.
“If you think you have what it takes to walk away with a prize, or you’re a vendor wanting to stay busy all weekend long, click here to download the registration form.”
The Drawing Prize for 1st place is $5,000, and 2nd place is $2,500. The People’s Choice for 1st place is $1,000 and a trophy and 2nd is $500 and a trophy. All the top 25 receive trophies. There also will be a 50/50 drawing.
The visitor’s center is at 906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend.
April 28-29 All-Star Monster Truck Tour
All Star Monster Trucks featuring VELOCIRAPTOR, ICE CREAM MAN, HOLESHOT the Monster ATV and more plus Quad Warrior Racing, Monster Truck Rides, a pre-show Fun Zone ($5 fun zone admission gets ALL the attractions) and much more.
Chevy Cruise-In
May 16-21 50s Classic Chevy Cruise-In
The new 50’s Classic Cruise-In car show is open to all classic Chevys from 1955 – 1957. This show is a continuation of the old annual Classic Chevy Round-up at The Inn At Christmas Place. The 50’s Classic Chevy Cruise-In will be held at The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center in 2023.
Check the website for more information as the event gets closer.
The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center is located at 3230 Parkway, Pigeon Forge.
May 17-20 Smoky Mountain Pedal Car Show
See the cream of the crop vintage pedal cars and vintage pressed steel toys at the 36th year of the show. The show at the Music Road Resort and Conference Center – 308 Henderson Chapel Road in Pigeon Forge – includes 100 inside tables of toys and pedal cars on display inside Conference Center and 150 outside spaces in a reserved parking lot.
Thursday’s show is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m, with a vendor appreciation BBQ dinner is at 6pm.
Saturday’s vendor auction begins at 10 a.m. Show concludes at 3 p.m.
Pontiacs
June 2 Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge
The annual Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge features a swap meet and classic GTO’s, Firebirds, Fieros, Best in Show, Best in Stock and the Saturday Night Cruise. Register and get more information online.
This year Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge will be held at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.
All proceeds (donations, personal checks, silent auction & raffle tickets) from the show will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Ciera Blackburn, daughter of Mike & Sherri Blackburn.
Check the Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Facebook group for more information.
June 2-3 Tennessee Bronco Bash
The Tennessee Bronco Bash is a new car show in Sevierville and that Sevier County will hold at the convention center. Both days of the event are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It will include guided rides, world class vendors, Bronco accessories, and special events. All makes and models are welcome. You can purchase tickets online.
Vendors include Rough Country, Moto Metal, Ready Lift Suspensions, KMC Wheels, Two Brothers Tire & Auto, Black Rhino Hard Alloys, Gator Step, Cumberland Customs, and more.
Aug. 24-26 Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
Jeep Invasion
The 11th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Club Invasion is open to all Jeep enthusiasts and Jeep Clubs throughout the nation. The Expo is for leading Jeep parts and their accessory vendors. The LeConte Convention Center is the location and show hours are daily from 9 am-5 pm.
Adult admission is $18 per day, children from 6-12 are $8 per day, and kids under 5 get in free. Cash only at the outside admission tents; both cash and credit accepted inside the admission booths within the LeConte Center. Also, daily admission includes admittance into the inside vendor area, the outside vendor areas, and the Show & Shine event. The GSM Jeep Club does not offer presales on admission tickets.
No outside food or drink allowed within the LeConte Center. Only certified service animals permitted indoors. The LeConte Convention Center is located at 410 Pine Mountain Rd. Pigeon Forge
Watch for calendar updates, including the annual Jeeps Invade the Cove, when Jeeps take a scenic drive around the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Trail, with stops for wildlife and information.
August 11-13 Sparks Car Show
Sevier County Fairgrounds
In its 9th year, the Sparks Car Show is 3 days at the Sevier County Fairgrounds at this family-run open event.
The show is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, there is a limbo contest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with awards given after. Food vendors will be onsite.
The fairgrounds are at 754 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN
Did You Know?
Did you know that the first major auto show was in Chicago on 23 March 1901 ? Then, attendance at the Chicago Auto Show grew from 4,000 in 1901 to more than 200,000 by 1941.
So, the Modern Auto Show developed from that increase in public interest in automobiles and attendance at auto shows in the late 1940s when supply and demand for vehicles skyrocketed.
Sept. 21-23 Okteenerfest
Okteenerfest is an annual gathering celebrating the Porsche 914, a two-seat roadster manufactured from 1969 through 1976.
Owners and enthusiasts of the Porsche 914 can enjoy a drive on some of the area’s mountain roads to kick off the weekend. The car show happens on Saturday followed by an awards banquet.
The car show portion of the gathering is open to the public from 9 a.m.-Noon at The Townsend Abbey, 7765 River Road, Townsend.
Ready to book your car-show weekend? Let American Patriot Getaways help you find the right cabin for you and your friends or family.
Book Your Cabin
Our professionally cleaned cabins are all over the Smoky Mountains, and we have plenty of cabins without mountain roads so you’ll be close to the action and project your precious vehicle.
Browse all of our cabins over on our website or give our friendly Reservations Team a call at (800) 204-5169 and let them help you create the vacation of a lifetime.
We look forward to you booking your mountain vacation with us in the Smokies again soon!
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