We are planning a fall trip and was wondering which one of these is better? Sept. 7 & 8 Shades of the past Rod Run **V or Sept. 13-15 Grand Fall Rod Run; Pigeon Forge
I've never been to the Grand Run, but Shades was great the 2 years I went. Be prepared for traffic on the 2-lane tourist bottleneck.
The Shades of the Past rod run is nothing special. Its held in a large open field with no shade. The Pigeon Forge strip at night is where the action is. I know people who never go to the rod run, they go there for the nightly cruising and to look at the many cars for sale. If you go, be prepared to pay a reasonable motel rate up to Thurday night and ripped off on Friday and Saturday as they jack the rates up another $100. We've found it cheaper and much better to rent a chalet in the moutains behind the rod run. They are really nice with every thing you need including a hot tub. The chalet rates are in some cases cheaper then getting ripped off in a motel. The rod run is Friday and Saturday not on Sunday.
I've never been to either show but I'll 2nd the chalet rental. We got one from www.hiddenspringsresort.com. They were close to the strip (only a 5 mile rip through some backroads) and even had a pool table ,darts, hot tub, jacuzzi, grill...way better than any hotel.
Never gone to the Grand run but I have done Shades at least 8 times. I have only gone to the actual show once and wont go back. You can see a lot more stuff just walking around in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. I am planning to go this year and made my reservations last week. I suggest you get reservations soon as it books up pretty quick.
Been a few years since I've been to the Grand, it's huge. Don't know if it's better to hunt for a parking place or take the tram and walk the strip. Lots of for sale, good prices. last time there was a three day min. for a motel.
If you GOTTA go to the Forge, then I vote Shades. Why? The Shades originally was a pre 48 gathering(mostly street rods, fewer traditional cars)--now it's become a 72-back(I think) show. The swap meet is waay bigger, for one thing,plus the number of and the quality of cars is better(my $.02) Also, if you're into it, there's a gas station collectibles swap going down about 10 miles east of Sevierville Nothing wrong with the Grand---I just personally don't like the venue(Grand Hotel "convention center" parking lot ) Fewer "show" cars(cause the damn parking lot's small) and fewer vendors(but mostly inside an air-conditioned building). And don't forget getting gouged to park---expect $10 to park in a dusty field 100 yards away from the hotel---if you're lucky. Positives for BOTH events---every hotel lot on the strip will be plumb full of cars(most will be for sale...maybe that's a negative) Take a bicycle if you wanna get around and look at stuff Negatives-----price gouging at the hotels, markets, and parking 'lots'......traffic.......lack of parking at some hotels(hey, alotta those cars rode in on a trailer pulled by a crewcab dually).....long waits at restaurants.......did I say traffic? Oh, and the police aren't very friendly either. I quit 'em both a couple of years ago for a show closer to home. It's an AACA show in Red Boiling Springs TN, drew about 300 cars last year(50th anniv) Maybe 30-40 vendors. Lots of shade and atmosphere. This year it goes two days, Sept 7-8 (WAS a one-day show) Free parking.(on a gr***-covered hillside) Great buffet dinner(lunch, for you non-southerners) inside the hotel (a historic resort hotel) Just a cool vibe.
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