Pigeon Forge Rod Run attendee says second car show nearby contributed to rise in arrests

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Two car shows took place in Sevier County during the weekend of September 12: the Fall Rod Run and the Smoky Mountain Truck Fest. Rod Run attendees like Albert Pickett said the event has changed and not in a good way over the last 25 years.

“There are a lot more cars here now, they let a lot of things slide too,” Pickett said. “Now, the big problem is there are two shows running together, which puts us in a bind. We don’t run around like they do. It’s just rough.”

Albert Pickett has been attending the Rod Runs for nearly three decades creating lifelong friendships along the way, including at the hotel he stays at— the Vacation Lodge.

“You feel appreciated truly. We enjoy the customer service, you know, we love the hospitality,” Vacation Lodge owner Akhil Banker said. “We like those customers who have been patronizing this place such a long time. They are here for 20 years and some are coming for 30 years.”

Although there is a lot of good that comes from the Rod Run events, there is a fair share of incidents where law enforcement needs to step in.

Over the weekend, September 12 to September 14, more than 850 citations were issued accompanied by 85 arrests. Those citations ranged from spinning tires to other miscellaneous moving violations. Pigeon Forge Police Chief Richard Catlett told 6 News officers also had to deal with fights and underage drinking.

Albert Pickett told 6 News what he noticed during the end of last week.

“They [police] are standing in the middle of the road and just walk to the truck and pull them over,” Pickett said. “I mean, they didn’t bother too many hot rods. It was all the big trucks walking up and talking and dumping their beer out and whatever they had to do. When the trucks weren’t here it wasn’t a rowdy show, very peaceful. We’re in bed by 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. the whole week then the weekends don’t end.”

He added the atmosphere surrounding the parkway changes when a secondary show is happening at the same time as the Rod Run. He said he doesn’t know how much longer he will be attending this event.

“I’m going to try one more and see. Shades of the past is gone so I’m down to one week now, the Rod Run,” Pickett said. “We will see what next year brings.”

The numbers of arrests from this years Fall Rod Run doubled from last year and the number of citation issued nearly quadrupled. These numbers were also up from the 2024 Spring Rod Run event.

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