When you think Pigeon Forge, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? A favorite roller coaster at Dollywood? A day of shopping along the Parkway? A bowl of corn chowder at The Old Mill? Well, if you’re like me, you didn’t realize that when many people think of Pigeon Forge, their first thought is CARS, CARS, CARS!
Did you know Pigeon Forge is home to some of the most exciting and largest car shows in the nation? We’re talking everything from Corvettes and Jeeps to classic cars and custom-made vintage vehicles that are as beautifully maintained as they are impressive.
In 2016, we’re inviting you to 7 different car shows that are all taking place in Pigeon Forge or nearby Sevierville. Plan to check out at least 1 during your Smoky Mountain getaway this year, and see what all the car hype is about in Pigeon Forge!
- Corvette Expo in the Smokies
March 18–19, 2016 | Sevierville Convention Center
For the past 30 years, Corvette owners and Corvette admirers have been coming together at the Sevierville Convention Center for the Corvette Expo of the Smokies. This show began in 1976, when Byron Cooper—who still owns the Corvette Expo with his brother, Ronny—decided to have a Corvette show and open house at Cooper’s Corvette Center in Knoxville. Forty years later, you can still catch the Cooper family at the Corvette Expo, where you’ll enjoy an auction, swap meet, park n’ show, a corvette cruise, and cash awards. - Spring Pigeon Forge Rod Run
April 14–16, 2016 | LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
One of the most popular car shows in the area, the Pigeon Forge Rod Run takes place twice a year—once in the spring and once in the fall. Last April, the top 5 winners at this show included a 1963 Blue Ford Galaxie, a 1964 Red Chevrolet Impala, and a 1965 Green Dodge Dart. This April, you can catch even more vintage vehicles as well as up to $8,000 in cash prizes, a huge swap meet, and the crowning of the 2016 “Ultimate 5”! And great news for Rod Run spectators: parking at the show is free! - Yellow Mustang Show
TBA | The Inn at Christmas Place
“We’re yellow, and we know it”—this is the mantra of the Yellow Mustang Show (well, not officially, but it could be!). If you want to see the longest line of yellow Mustangs you can imagine, this is a must-see Pigeon Forge car show during your getaway! Usually the Pigeon Forge show takes place in early May. You can check back at the official Yellow Mustang webpage for more information when it comes closer to time. - Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge
June 3–5, 2016 | The Music Road Hotel
This year marks the 16th annual Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show at the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge. Come check out some of the best-looking Pontiacs around at The Music Road Hotel, and you can feel great about your visit because all the proceeds from this car show will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. - Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion
August 27, 2016 | LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
This exciting Pigeon Forge show is celebrating its fourth year in 2016 after starting out in Townsend, Tennessee, with only 165 Jeeps. By their second year, they more than doubled the number of Jeeps at their show—ending up with over 700 total! So now they’ve moved the show to a bigger venue at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. At the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion, you’ll not only enjoy viewing some of the coolest Jeeps in the nation, but also checking out indoor vendors and participating in a raffle as well. - Shades of the Past Rod Run
September 9–10, 2016 | Dollywood’s Splash Country
One of the largest cars shows coming to Pigeon Forge in 2016 is the Shades of the Past Rod Run. The grand prize in 2016 is a ’32 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster, and the runner-up will receive $10,000 cash! This show features rods, customs, and classics through 1972. And even if you’ve been before, the 2016 show is sure to be an exciting event with the introduction the “Street Rodder, the Triple Crown of Hot Rodding”! - Fall Pigeon Forge Rod Run
September 15–17, 2016 | LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
This show is the fall version of the Pigeon Forge Rod Run that will take place this spring. There will still be door prizes, a huge swap meet, and awards to the top 25 vehicles. But the fall features even more in cash prizes—$10,000! So if you’re planning on coming to Pigeon Forge when the weather is cool and the leaves are changing, don’t miss one of the biggest and most exciting car shows of the year!
