Custom Auto Shows Roll Into The Smokies
By Leif Palmer
Posted on August 19, 2020
Car shows. Custom auto shows. Rod runs. Whatever you want to call them, these events have been regular fixtures on the Smoky Mountain scene for decades. For those who participate and attend such shows, it's a great chance to show off a sweet custom ride, commiserate with other gearheads and, while they're in town, enjoy all the great things to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's no wonder that so many of these events choose the Smokies as the backdrop for their annual gatherings.
For those of you who happen to be car fanatics, or if you happen to just be in town when a car show is taking place, we can give you a quick overview of a couple of the events scheduled for the next month or so. Both of these events are based at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
August 20 through 22
Calling all Jeep owners to this show, which will feature more than 100 vendors as well as a variety of events, including a Show and Shine competition. It's a great way to show off your own ride and meet up with Jeepers from all over the country.
Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run
September 17 through 19
This three-day event features $8,000 in cash giveaways, Top 25 awards, Ultimate 5 awards, a King of the Hill award and much more. One of the highlights is a huge swap meet, with hundreds of show cars on display.
Note that the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, originally scheduled for September 11 and 12, has been canceled.
We should also mention that traffic does get pretty heavy around Pigeon Forge during car show weekends. One option for dealing with that is to park at one of our lots in Gatlinburg. Our Gatlinburg parking prices are super-competitive, and you can hop the trolley from downtown Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge and visit the different car shows. Along the way, you'll be able sit back and relax and look at all the custom cars while someone else does the driving.
When you get back to Gatlinburg, you can also use the trolley to see all the sites of our town, all without having to leave your parking spot.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.