When: Friday 4/11/14 to 4/13/2014
2986 Teaster Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
just off the Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
just off the Parkway
Once again, it’s almost that time! Lots of revving the engines, squealing the
tires, blowers blowing, the smell of racing fuel – at least as much is allowed
by the Pigeon Forge police ! All you car enthusiasts know what I’m talking
about – it’s not just for rods and muscle cars anymore! You can find anything
from a cool classic Thunderbird, Chevelle, Camaro, monster truck, rat rod all the way to a
converted bus!
As I chatted with someone about the Rod Run, I tried to
explain… even though the “Official” event dates are from Friday 4/11 till Sunday
4/13/2014 eager fans start pouring into Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and
Sevierville starting as early as Monday or Tuesday.
The actual show car competition,
vendors and other entertainment cabn be found at the beautiful new $50 million Leconte Center- Pigeon Forge Convention Center
– offers a much larger indoor space with nearby free parking. Also, just down the road – new to Pigeon
Forge - The Island. But, you do not need to even enter the actual event to see
every conceivable kind of flashy, fast hot rod you can imagine.
Cars and car buffs line the Pigeon Forge Parkway parking lots
with “rare show vehicles” cool classics, antique cars or unique rods for sale
or just for show! That’s just the beginning, every inch of ground seems to be
covered with Chevrolets, Fords, GMCs, trucks, cars or some hybrid cross
between.
Then by Thursday, the CRUISING begins, up and down the
Parkway, slowing crawling traffic – so as not to miss any details !! The lane
closest to the parking lots of course is the most “turtle” like…so if you
insist on moving quicker – move over to the other outside lanes! You could just
find a parking lot, park your car and walk so you can get up close and
personal, chat with car owners, mingle with the muscle cars, see people you
know from home! Just wear some comfy shoes.
With several new back roads and a little insider info (just
ask for our insider guide) – you can avoid a great deal of the traffic
and grid lock. IF you so desire! So, don’t
hesitate coming to the Smoky Mountains during Rod Run, Shades of the Past, The
Truck shows, etc.. If you are not a
motohead, just plan to see the REAL wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountain
National Park then… it will be just the calm opposite of Rod Run ! ENJOY ! It’s pretty awesome, if you get tired of cars,
just locate the closest shopping mall and park ;-)
Photos by cgilliam
