Car Enthusiasts are in for a Treat in The Smokies in 2022!
Get ready for the beauty, the fun, the sounds of cars! The first of the 2022 car shows in The Great Smoky Mountains starts this week!
Car Shows This Week
Three shows at once kick off the car-show season. These three events are in conjunction, all at the LaConte Center in Pigeon Forge Horsepower and Hotrods presented by Hunter’s Automotive is a car show, car swap and car corral in its 45th year.Spring Corvette Expo from Cooper Events
March 18 – March 19, 2022
My American Dream Mad Vettes is the featured club for 45th year of the expo. A swap meet, park and show and Diamonds Award Show are part of the event. There’s free parking too!
Tail of the Dragon
Additionally, Corvettes cruise Tail of the Dragon from Pigeon Forge on Friday, March 28. With 318 curves in 11 miles, this world-famous ride has tight turns as you travel on U.S. 129 bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. There are no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper travel. Just curves and fun!
The weekend cruise starts from the LeConte Center at 4:30 p.m. and goes for 74.5 miles and takes approximately 2 hours. This is just a cruise, not a race.Space and vendor registration rns from $85 to $200. Show Car (Diamond Awards Corvette Show In the LeConte Center) us $40.
Chevelles In The Smokies
March 18 and March 19
Join us for Chevelles In The Smokies 18 of the Nation’s finest Chevelle’s in competition inside the LeConte Center. All entrees receive a collector garage sign from ET MotorGear. There are several classifications for judging plus Ausley’s Chevelle Hot Pick.
The event includes trophies, dash plaques, winners’ decals, special awards and cash. And outside, will be a Chevelle Park N Show. There’s also a Best of Show award for the most outstanding “Chevelle in the Smokies.”
Horsepower and Hotrods
Then from March 15-16, 2022 Horsepower and Hotrods takes over.
Vendor registration runs from $85 to $200
Show car registration is $40 for each Horsepower and Hotrods and Chevelles in The Smokies
The following weekend (March 23 – March 26) Ponies in The Smokies brings Mustangs to the mountains, presented by National Parts Depot.
If you get into town early, there’s an Early Bird Cruise on Tuesday, March 22 starting at Quaker Steak & Lube in Pigeon Forge.
There are driving schools, clinics and ride alongs.
Shine Run
On Wednesday, there’s a Poker Run. The fun of driving these cars is a big draw for the event. The annual Shine Run sponsored by Clearshine is a chance to do just that. It is a modified poker run that takes participants all over the area on some of the best roads, including the legendary Tail Of The Dragon as well as many local hot spots.
At each “Shine Run Stop”, participants will draw 1-2 cards depending on the distance and difficulty of the stop. A completed Shine Run card will require 5 cards. You may take your best five if more are drawn. Once the cards are turned in at the Shine Run Party at Junction 35 on Thursday night, you will receive a Shine Run 2021 decal. These decals are good for bonus points in Friday’s car show to reward those who get their cars out and drive them! Once the cards are turned in they will be ranked according to hand. Prizes will be awarded accordingly. Some of the top prizes this year include a set of Axe Wheels, a vacation at Table Rock Resort, more than a thousand dollars in parts from Steeda and tons of parts and pieces from sponsor National Parts Depot.
Where the Ponies Begin
On Thursday, “the Ponies will depart from Smokies Stadium at 10:30 for a nice, scenic 30 mile cruise along the shores of and over Lake Douglas to Newport, Tennessee’s English Mountain Raceway. For those looking for a quicker, straighter route, Interstate 40 is also an option.”
“The drag strip will be open from 11am to 4pm for test and tune. The cost to participate is $20 or $8 to spectate. “This is a low-key, no pressure event, perfect for first timers!”
Friday and Saturday are the National Parts Depot Car Show at the Sevierville Convention Center in Sevierville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The car show awards take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Spring Rod Run 2022
From April 7 – April 9 and Sept. 15-17, Spring Rod Run 2022 takes the stage!
The LeConte Center is again home to this spring rod run and car show. There’s “Cruisin’ the Strip,” free spectator parking the show, awards, cash awards and more.
At the September show, the only female winner of The Riddler award, Tammy Ray, will be at the show with her “Gold Digger” – a 1943 Ford Phaeton that is coming out of retirement for the show.
Bronco Super Celebration
Then from April 20 – April 23, 2022 we’ll be judging bronco’s at our Bronco Super Celebration! Located in beautiful Townsend, TN, the four-day event is the world’s largest bronco enthusiast gathering, filled with on-site activities, daily drives, awards, product giveaways, and more.
Event registration is $75 per Bronco. Visitors pay $10 per car.
Judging Hours: Wednesday 4-6 p.m / Thursday 10 AM -12 noon. 4-6 p.m. / Friday 10 a.m.- 12 NOON.. 4-6p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m. -12 noon
Destination Drives
On Thursday, there are scenic and destination drives:
9 AM. – Drive 5 – DRAGON TO FONTANA DAM DRIVE
A long and winding road through the mountains on the legendary Tail of the Dragon continuing on to Fontana Dam. Bring some snacks for lunch. (est 80 Miles – 4 Hours)
11 A.M. – Drive 6 – ROARING FORK NATURE TRAIL
Take a drive along the river and then the adventure begins with a one lane 7 mile paved road winding through the middle of the mountains. See waterfalls, old settlements, and spring wildlife. Like an offload trip on blacktop. (est. 90 Miles Round trip 3 1/2hours)
1.P.M. Drive 7 – CADES COVE – Drive thru the old settlement – follow Broncos to see old historic buildings and always some wild life. (Approximate time 2-3 Hours – about 30 miles round trip)
3 PM. Drive 8 – TOUR OF TOWNSEND – tour around the backroads of Townsend with hidden treasures and unexpected terrain – Never more than a couple miles from the Visitors Center – Route kept secret – (Approximate time: 1 Hour – about 15 Miles round trip)
For more about Townsend, check out our APG blog posts.
Circle Yer Wagens
Then April 30 marks the start of Circle Yer Wagens .Presented by the Appalachian Volkswagen Association, Circle Yer Wagens is in its 27th year. Bring your bug to the Sevier County Fairgrounds in Sevierville, TN for an all VW show with a huge swap meet and riverbank camping in the show area.
SHOW HOURS: Fri. Noon to 6p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m. to 6pm; Sun. 8 a.m. to 4p.m.
For spectators: one-day pass is $8; weekend pass is $15; children 12 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult.
SHOW ENTRY FEES: $20 PRE-REGISTERED BY April 10, 2022 – $25 AT THE GATE (includes vehicle & driver)
May 12 – May 14, 2022
The world’s largest classic Ford Truck show, Grand National F-100 Reunion is held at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. It includes a parkway cruise through The Smokies from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and al the new and original parts you could want to buy.
May 20 – May 22, 2022
Annual Tri-Five show celebrating the American icon classic Chevrolets from 1955-57. See over 100 modified and restored Chevys. Music and food vendors will also be on site. The event takes place at The Inn At Christmas Place, 119 Christmas Tree Ln, Pigeon Forge.
June 2 – June 5, 2022
The classic car show has been taking place for almost two decades to showcase some of the most gorgeous Pontiacs around.
This year the show is at LeConte Hotel & Convention Center, 986 Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge. Judging, a cruise across the foothills and a swap meet are all part of the event.
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
August 25 – August 27, 2022
Open to ALL Jeep enthusiasts and Jeep Clubs throughout the nation, the Smoky Mountain Jeep® Invasion is an Expo for all leading Jeep parts and their accessory vendors, including a Jeep Show where several trophies are awarded.
The LeConte Convention Center is again the location. Show hours are daily from 9 am-5 pm.
To celebrate the event’s 10th year, outside vendor booth space is being expanded. That means a larger selection of Jeep parts but no VIP parking this year. Choose either a standard Show & Shine space or a Show & Shine Tailgate Experience! Both options include guaranteed hassle-free parking on all days of the event!! Tailgate Experience spaces and standard Show & Shine spaces are not side-by-side.
September 9 – September 10, 2022 we’ll be enjoying Shades Of the Past where we get to take a ride down memory lane with R=fods, customs and classics through 1972 at Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge. Street rod of the year, street machine of the year and street cruise of the year will be selected during the event.
Book Your Cabin
Ready to book your Smoky Mountain Vacation and enjoy the cars and the beauty of The Smokes?
American Patriot Getaways is here to help. Our professionally cleaned cabins are all over the Smoky Mountains, and we have plenty of cabins close to Dollywood and all Pigeon Forge adventures.
Booking a stay in a private cabin is even better than choosing a hotel! Browse all of our cabins over on our web site 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! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest area news and happenings.
Check out our Smoky Mountain Travel Guide for more adventures. Be sure to check out all our vacation guides for planning your Smoky Mountain getaway.
