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Tag: hot rods

3 posts with this tag

Hundreds of gleaming pre-1972 American street rods and classic cars fill the Dollywood Splash Country parking lot during the annual Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with the Smoky Mountain ridgeline visible in the background.

39 Years, One Final Roundup: The Story of Shades of the Past in Pigeon Forge

The Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup ran for 39 years — from a 1983 debut in Pigeon Forge that drew 1,000 cars when organizers expected 400, to a 2022 final show at Dollywood's Splash Country that Modern Rodding called one of the premier events in the country. It ended not because it declined, but because its venue situation changed and the organizers chose to close it on their own terms. Here's the full story — and what the fall Pigeon Forge automotive calendar looks like today.

Rows of classic American muscle cars and hot rods line the Pigeon Forge Parkway during the Fall Rod Run, with car owners in lawn chairs beside their vehicles and the Smoky Mountain ridgeline visible in the background under a clear September sky.

Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run 2026: Dates, Schedule & What to Expect

The Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run returns September 17–19, 2026 at the LeConte Center — the original edition of one of the Southeast's largest automotive weekends, featuring hundreds of show cars, a massive swap meet, a $10,000 cash giveaway, top 25 and ultimate 5 awards, and the unofficial Parkway street show that's free and arguably the best part. Here's the complete guide to planning your visit.

Hundreds of classic American muscle cars, hot rods, and custom builds line the Pigeon Forge Parkway during the Spring Rod Run, with owners in lawn chairs beside their vehicles and forested mountain ridgelines in the background.

Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run 2027: New Dates, Same Epic Car Show

The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is moving to a new month in 2027 — the area's largest automotive gathering shifts to May 20–22 at the LeConte Center, featuring a massive swap meet with 300+ vendors, an $8,000 cash giveaway, 30+ award categories, and thousands of classic cars, hot rods, and customs from across the country. Plus the unofficial Parkway street show that's free, spontaneous, and arguably the best part. Here's the full guide.

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