Get your engines revving for one of the biggest car shows not only in the Smokies but in the nation—the Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run! Scheduled for April 14-16, 2016, the Spring Rod Run is one of those annual events that people look forward to all year long. And with rows of classic hot rods that go for miles, it’s not hard to imagine why.
The Spring Rod Run is the perfect event for auto enthusiasts across the country to see hundreds of hot rods, peruse a variety of vendors at the annual swap meet, and potentially take home their piece of the $8,000 in cash prizes given away throughout the weekend. But even if you don’t take home any cash or door prizes, you’ll still have fun viewing the cars, listening to live music, and spending a beautiful spring weekend in Pigeon Forge!
This year, plan a guys’ getaway for the 2017 Spring Rod Run or the fall show later this year. You can book a cabin together that’s by the lake or overlooking the mountains and enjoy card tournaments in the cabin or manly movie nights after checking out dozens of muscle cars during the day. You might also bring your family for this event—even kids will have fun checking out these restored hot rods! Or if your parents are car enthusiasts, make this their Mother’s Day or Father’s Day present (or both).
No matter who you bring to the Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, you can look forward to viewing muscle cars in just about every make, model, and color around. For an idea of what’s in store, here are the top 5 winners from last year’s Spring Rod Run:
1963 ½ Blue Ford Galaxie
1964 Red Chevrolet Impala
1965 Green Dodge Dart
1968 Yellow Chevrolet Chevelle
1951 Red Plymouth Wagon
The show also features awards for the Top 25 and Special Awards for some of the more unique hot rods at the event. In 2015, these included the “Long Distance Award,” “Danny’s Rod Shop Best Hot Rod,” and “Coolest Camaro by Camaro Central.”
General Info about the Spring Rod Run
What: Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run
When: April 14¬-16, 2016
Where: LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge
The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is scheduled for April 14¬-16, 2016, which is a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The car show is officially located at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge (2986 Teaster Lane), and to view the cars inside the center, there’s usually a $10 fee. However, you can also view plenty of hot rods for free simply by walking up and down the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Besides hundreds of hot rods, the Spring Rod Run will feature $8,000 in cash prizes, door prizes, and a huge swap meet featuring hundreds of show cars and the car corral. Sponsors for this event include Danny’s Rod Shop, Ausley’s Chevelle, Camaro Central, and ASA. For more information about the show, please call 865-687-3976.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Time
- Although you can always pay the entry fee into the LeConte center, one of the easiest (and FREE) ways to see plenty of hot rods throughout the weekend of the Spring Rod Run is simply setting up some lawn chairs along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Plan to get to the Parkway early and watch the variety of cars cruise by throughout the day. (You can also sit on the bed of your truck, if you have one.) When you’re ready to move around, simply walk up and down the Parkway to view more hot rods. But be sure to secure all belongings (including your lawn chairs) in your vehicle before walking the Parkway.
- If you’re planning to stay for the whole event (Thursday through Saturday), we recommend arriving to Pigeon Forge the weekend before or at least a couple days before the Spring Rod Run. This way, you’ll miss a lot of the traffic from those driving in over the weekend of the event, and you’ll have some free time to explore downtown Pigeon Forge before it gets too crowded.
- Speaking of crowded…during the Spring Rod Run, be prepared for traffic—heavy traffic. Remember that hundreds of cars are coming to Pigeon Forge just for this event, so there will be plenty of people not only at the Rod Run but at Pigeon Forge restaurants and probably some downtown attractions as well. If you’re wanting to eat or play somewhere, try not to plan your travel time during peak hours of the event.
- Another way to skip the traffic altogether is to eat and play right inside your Pigeon Forge cabin! At Cabins For You, we have plenty of cabins with fully equipped kitchens, where you can plan for delicious homemade meals with friends and family. These meals will save you money and time during your Pigeon Forge getaway this April. We also have cabins with plenty of entertaining amenities from game tables to indoor pools to private theater rooms. You won’t have to drive all the way to downtown Pigeon Forge to have some fun while you’re taking a break from the Spring Rod Run in 2016.