It’s the first weekend after Labor Day, which means for the 34th year running, the annual Shades Of The Past Hot Rod Roundup is coming to Pigeon Forge. The event is held again in Dollywood’s Splash Country grounds, Friday and Saturday, September 9-10, 2016.
Images courtesy of Shades of the Past
Hundreds of amazing vehicles with gleaming paint and lots of muscle – and all of a vintage no later than 1972 – will again gather from all over to show off their lines and celebrate some of America’s best cars ever built. There will be multiple awards and a Second Prize of $10,000 – with the First prize again a ’32 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster, custom built by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, a famous native Tennessee operation.
The huge swap meet also takes place again this year, with all manner of parts and accessories available. And food and drink, tee-shirts and other memorabilia are on sale from an array of vendors. It’s a rodder’s gathering, with excitement in the air – and it gleams just as much as it growls.
Splash Country has proven to be a great venue for the event, with massive amounts of parking, both free and paid, and easy trolley connections with more free parking in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There are indoor restrooms and a no-alcohol policy that makes the event good for the whole family. Tickets are $10 per day and kids under 12 are Free.
Judging will be complete by Friday at 5 pm, with photo sessions to follow, and the award ceremony at close of day on Saturday. The numerous categories include Mighty Muscle Picks, the Speed & Engineering Modern Muscle Award and the overall Top 25 – these winners will pick the Best of Show.
Street Rodder magazine is here in force again, and with something special this year – three new awards, each worth $5,000. It’s the Triple Crown of Rodding, awarding the Street Rod of the Year, the Street Machine of the Year, and the Street Cruiser of the Year.
The AMSOIL Road Tour is back also, a collaboration with Street Rodder, a nomad’s tour of hot rod enthusiasts across the country, with joiners and leavers at all points, hitting countless hot rod hot spots – museums, car shows, mechanic shops, and of course Pigeon Forge. Triple Crown contestants include winners from several preceding shows this year, and all will be invited on to the Detroit Autorama from here.
You don’t have to be a hot rod enthusiast to enjoy the amazing variety of sights and sounds and colorful rolling stock on show at the Hot Rod Roundup – it’s a great American experience to undergo. Check the Shades Of The Past website for full information, and tune into King Of The Oldies, K.O.T.O 102.2 FM for music and news from the event.
