Get your car show on for the rest of the summer and fall with these exciting Smoky Mountain events.
August 12 – 14, 2022
In its 9th year, the Sparks Car Show is 3 days at the Sevier County Fairgrounds at this family-run open event.
The fairgrounds are at 754 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN
August 25 – August 27, 2022
Jeep Invasion
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
The 10th 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.
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.
S&S will continue to be in the new parking lot across from the LeConte Center with space to showcase more than 300 awesome Jeeps. Show & Shine competition which will take place from Thursday
through Saturday.
The LeConte Convention Center is located at 410 Pine Mountain Rd. Pigeon Forge
Hot Rods
September 9 – September 10, 2022
Shades Of the Past
Take a ride down memory lane with R=fods, customs and classics through 1972 at Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge. More than 200 hot rods compete for the grand prizes. “Expect a huge exhibitor area and giant swap meet.” Prizes will be selected for street rod of the year, street machine of the year and street cruise of the year.
It seems it may be the last year for the event as the contract with Splash Country runs out and won’t be renewed, according to the event web site.
Shades of the Past 2022 Awards
PRIZE #1: 1932 For Hi-Boy Roadster by Alloway’s
PRIZE #2: $10,000 check
Other awards for this year include the Top 25, Magnificent 7, American Tri-5 Association, ISCA Picks, Mights Muscle Picks, Shades Mighty Muscle Pick, and Shades Specialty Awards.
1st Major Car Show
Did you know the first major auto show was held in Chicago on 23 March 1901? 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.
August 28, 2022
7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN
Equally important, the morning after the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion Event, The Smoky Mountain Jeep Club hosts “Jeeps Invade The Cove” for a scenic drive around the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Trail.
Then meet at 11 a.m. on August 28th at the Townsend Visitor’s Center at 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend to leave at Noon. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes about two to four hours depending on traffic. The slow pace on this single-lane road makes it easy to enjoy the amazing mountain landscapes, wildflower meadows and diverse wildlife.
Halfway through the Loop, make a stop at the Visitors Center for lots of photo opportunities and restrooms. The water-powered mill near the Visitor Center is must-see. Break away from the convoy at any time to stop and picnic, check out the old cabins and churches or take a hike.
Rod Run
September 15 – September 17, 2022
A spectacular 3-day event for any car enthusiast, the Fall Rod Run includes a $10,000.00 cash giveaway, awards for the top 25 and ultimate 5 and a huge swap meet with hundreds of show cars and car corral.
Additionally, this year’s event will host the only female winner of the Ridler Award in its 57-year history at the Detroit Autorama. Meet Tammy Ray and her Gold Digger, a beautiful 1933 Ford Phaeton. The car was built by T&T Customs of Canton, Georgia. The Gold Digger is coming out of retirement to display at the LeConte Center for the Pigeon Forge Rod Run in the fall. Ask Tammy how the vehicle got its name.
Also, the Rod Run originated in Gatlinburg in the 1970s as an unofficial event that was hosted by a car club from Maryville called “Shades Of The Past. By 1982, the event moved north to the Grand Hotel in Pigeon Forge and was renamed The Grand Run.
Identically, 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. The spring show was added four years later in 1995. In 2014, both shows were renamed The Pigeon Forge Rod Run.
October 14 – 15, 2022
TNT Truck & Tractor Pull
Then end the car show season at the TNT Championship Pull in Sevierville.
The event it held at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, 754 Old Knoxville Hwy.
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.
