Car Shows Schedule in Pigeon Forge 2023

Pigeon Forge car shows started way back in the ’70s, with the rod run series gaining traction back then. It developed to be one of the iconic events in Smokies’ car showbiz, attracting thousands of spectators. It goes without saying that where there are car enthusiasts, you cannot miss car shows, and hundreds of cars are on display at each of the annual events listed here.

Judges compare the competing cars in the listed categories and announce the best overall. A winning car can fetch an attractive price, way above the prices of other similar vehicles.

Cash rewards are up for grabs for the top entrants in the major car shows in Pigeon Forge. Other perks may include dash plaques, winners’ decals, garage signs, and merchandise from sponsors.

Car Shows in Pigeon Forge

Each show has its entry criteria for participating vehicles. A simple visit to the official website will inform you of the requirements for entry and the dates of the specific competition and show. This article will look into each car show in Pigeon Forge this year, 2022, to give you a brief overview of the event. So, pimp your classic ride and get ready to offer a killer display at the upcoming show.

Car Shows Schedule in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge car events happen in the spring and summer for obvious reasons. No one wants to freeze while watching a car show. Remember that winter starts from late September through March 20th when the snow thaws out.

The shows listed below are officially announced with published dates; you can start your preparations. Participation is capacity-based, especially for enclosed or indoor shows due to COVID9 regulations and space. Make early reservations following each show’s outlined registration method not to miss out. It’s always good etiquette to call ahead and ask for official details of the specific event if you plan on showing your car.

Here are the 2022 car shows happening in Pigeon Forge:

1. Spring Corvette Expo

Spring Corvette Expo

  • Date: March 18-March 19
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The Spring Corvette Expo held the first show in 1977. This year’s show celebrates its 45th year of annual shows featuring great cars and classics in the expo. The show is presented by Cooper Events LLC, in conjunction with the Corvette Club and Horsepower & HotRods.

The show participants and guests will have an opportunity to swap meet, buy parts and cars in the sales corral, attend the diamond awards show, showcase their rides in the park, and attend other show events. There is free parking at the entrance of the venue, Le Cante Center.

The two-day show will culminate with a cruise of the dragon drive on March 18th, 2022. Participants get to enjoy the scenic drive through the mountainside and the incredible amenities found along the way.

Register for the event with details of your car by filling in a downloadable registration form available on the website. You can book more than one space if you have more vehicles you would like to show. Show terms and conditions do apply.

2. Chevelles in Smokies Showdown

Chevelles in Smokies Showdown

  • Date: March 18-March 19
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

Chevelles in the Smokies Showdown happens every spring. Cooper Events LLC organizes this event too. The 2022 car show is in conjunction with Horsepower & HotRods, the Corvette Club, and Ausley’s Chevelle Parts.

You are treated to a competition of 18 of the best Chevelles in the Smokies region. Every entrant gets a collector’s garage sign from ET MotorGear. Other awards are dash plaques, branded merch, trophies, and cash rewards.

Judges also choose the best Chevelle in all the categories listed who receive recognition and rewards. The “Best of the Show” and “The Most Outstanding Chevelle” awards are to look forward to, including the coveted Ausley’s Hot Pick award.

Chevelles in the Smokies car show tickets are $15 per day. The venue is open from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday. You can leave your car overnight at the venue on Friday, but note that access to the park is closed until the next day. Tow and vending vehicles without booked indoor space should park outside.

3. Horsepower and HotRods

Horsepower and HotRods

  • Date: March 18-March 19
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

Horsepower & HotRods is another car show by Cooper Events LLC. The car show collaborates with Hunters Automotive, featuring the Corvette Expo at LeConte Center. Classic cars and hotrods will be displayed, with judges announcing the winner. The show looks at the performance and overall attractiveness of the vehicle, hence the name.

Come to witness the lost glory of vintage vehicles and get to take one home through swap meets and sales corals. “Old is gold”-at the Horsepower & HotRod car show, old is elegant and powerful!

The show is happening at LeConte Center together with the Chevelle in the Smokies Showdown and the Spring Corvette Expo, so don’t miss out. Winners take home cash, trophies, and other car enthusiasts’ awards.

4. Spring Rod Run

Spring Rod Run

  • Date: April 7-April 9
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The annual Spring Rod Run has become a signature event, attracting droves of visitors and local spectators to the Smokies hill town. Heavy traffic is imminent when the show is on, as cars get in line for this year’s show at Black Fox Lodge. The hotel is opposite the LeConte Center, a Pigeon Forge landmark you can’t miss.

The show is open from 9 am to 6 pm on Thursday and Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday. Set-up days for participants and vendors are on Tuesday and Wednesday and are not open to the public.

The show has classifications, with the winner taking a cash reward of $8,000! No wonder the show is like an earthquake-it shakes the town. Other award categories to watch are the Ultimate 5 Awards and Top 25 Awards, announced at the end. The award-giving ceremony will be in the Greenbrier Room at the LeConte Center on Saturday at 5 pm.

Buy tickets to the event at the ticketing booth at the showgrounds. For $15, you’ll get a daily pass for one person or part with $35 for a three-day pass for one person. Cash only. Credit cards are not accepted. The event will have ATMs where you can make a withdrawal.

Free parking is available to spectators at the LeConte Center parking area. Food trucks are also available to plaster your bowels with snacks and drinks, at your expense, of course.

Branded event T-shirts by ET MotorGear will provide a souvenir besides the photographs you take at the event. Or better still, take part in the competitions for a chance to win the eight grand cash giveaway!

5. Grand National F-100

Grand National F-100
Source: @thefordera
  • Date: May 12-May 14
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The Grand National F-100 Car Show is an all-Ford truck event in Pigeon Forge, attracting multitudes of Ford lovers to swap meets, parts sales, and other showcases to win awards at the event. The show allows all Ford trucks from 1996 and older F100/F150 models. Unfortunately, your Broncho will not cut it.

The Lokar Center is the ultimate place to get your parts for the Ford rejuvenation you have been postponing. You can easily find that transmission change your truck craves.

Come and witness the finest Ford classics in stock. You never taste the glorious past so sweet as a classical car show. The Ultimate Parkway Cruise from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg is always an epic getaway.

6. Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show and Swap Meet

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show
Source: @pontiacsinpigeonforge
  • Date: June 3-June 6
  • Venue: MainStay Suites Conference Center, 410 Pine Mountain Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show brings the classical adventurer to the Smokies to witness the massive display of custom cars and hotrods. All the oldies are rejuvenated and shining at the park for you to reminisce. It’s an all-out party with the swap meet and car corrals for all things classical collectibles.

Registration for the event is on the website until June.

The parking is provided for and in plenty at the venue. Additional parking and lounge are available at the secondary host hotel, Willow Brook Lodge. Check out the event flier for schedules of the 3-day car event.

7. Great Smoky Mountains Jeep Invasion

Great Smoky Mountains Jeep Invasion
Source: @greatsmokymtnjeepinvasion
  • Date: August 25-August 27
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion at LeConte Center is a massive jeep car show in Pigeon Forge. Hundreds of jeep owners and collectors assemble annually to be part of a large swap meet, car show, and sales coral for their jeeps.

The Jeep show had over 4,000 cars in the last event, which was a gigantic intake compared to only a few hundred jeeps when it started. You will find old Jeep classics, new model cars, and parts collectibles that you will love. Register for this 3-day event and showcase what your beast has to offer.

Entry to the show is $15 per day for adults and $5 per day for children between 6 and 12 years of age. Kids under five years get free entry with the company of a paying adult.

Pay for tickets at the admissions booth within LeConte with a credit card or cash, or use cash at the admission tents. The ticket will be valid for inside and outside vendor space, as well as the car show at the Show and Shine park. No outside food or drinks are allowed in, but the vendors at the event have all kinds of drinks, food, and snacks.

Unlike before, no VIP slots are available, but canopies and tents are allowed at the Tailgate Experience slots.

You can register for the show in the following categories:

  • Standard Show and Shine [$100]-you get guaranteed parking in the competition area, a dash plaque (single space), entry to cash draws and awards, and one adult entry to the show.
  • Show and Shine Tailgate Experience [$200]-You get guaranteed parking in the competition area (limited to 1 vehicle), entry to cash draws and awards, dash plaque, and entry to the show for two people.

The Top 5 Award draw will be on Friday, and the Judge’s Pick will be announced on Saturday. Both ceremonies will take place at 1.30 pm at the LeConte Center.

Don’t forget to buy memoirs at the gist shop in vendors’ slots or online on the GSM Jeep Invasion website.

Checkout GSMJI 2021:

8. Shades of The Past

Shades of The Past

  • Date: September 9-September 10
  • Venue: Dollywood’s Splash Country, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The quality of the past is a popular topic in tales of cars made to last. How about taking a look into that past right here in Pigeon Forge during the Shades of the Past car show? Your taste for classical hotrods has never gotten a better treat. There’re 200+ displays of classic vehicles on the Show and Shine grounds.

The host hotel for this year’s show is Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, an establishment by the Dollywood Company, owned by the country music legend Dolly Parton. You can get discounts on lodging at this hotel if you mention Shades of the Past.

Registration is ongoing: download the registration form and submit it to the management to book a spot at the event. If you register by May 15, a $50 fee will get you two show tickets and entry to both awards of the show. Booking later than May 15 will cost you $60 and only get you two-person show access and entry to one award: 1932 For Hi-Boy Roadster by Alloway’s.

The show will have two award categories:

[a] Shade of Choice Awards-the awards starts at 7 am on Friday and close admission by 10 am or when the spaces are full, whichever comes first. Winners are announced by 5 pm on the same day.

[b] Triple Crown Awards-the 2022 Triple Crown of Rodding award consolidates the street rod of the year award, the street machine of the year award, and the street cruiser of the year award.

Show Prizes:

[a] 1932 For Hi-Boy Roadster by Alloway’s.-all participants qualify for this award.

[b] $10,000 check amount-early registration (before May 15) qualifies you for this award

Other awards and perks are on the official website of the GSM Jeep Invasion event.

9. Fall Rod Run

  • Date: September 15-September 17
  • Venue: LeConte Center, 2986 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States

The Fall Rod Run is a redo of the Spring Rod Run apart from the prize money, which has increased to $10,000. There will be car corrals, swap meets, and coveted competitions for the Top 25 and The Ultimate 5 Awards. Grab a spot by registering for the event and securing a spot to be a winner.

Conclusion

Car shows in Pigeon Forge are a must-attend event, especially if you are a car enthusiast. From specialized Ford and Chevelle shows to classical hotrods, you are in for mad fun and exquisite interactions with fellow professionals and car lovers. Make a date for the next car show happening in Pigeon Forge. Who knows, you might find that car to be your sweetheart for the rest of your life!

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