Twice as many arrests made at 2024 Fall Rod Run than 2023

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Pigeon Forge Police Department has released the number of arrests and citations made during the Fall Rod Run car show to 6 News, and this year there were double the number of arrests seen at last year’s event.

The event ran from Sept. 12 to 14 in Pigeon Forge. Police Chief Richard Catlett told 6 News that at this year’s Fall Rod Run event, there were 85 arrests made and 862 citations issued.

Additionally, one officer was injured after he was hit while riding a motorcycle in Pigeon Forge. Catlett said the officer will be okay, he’s just a little banged up.

The Rod Run event happens twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall. At last year’s Fall Rod Run , only 44 arrests were made, and 249 citations were issued.

There were also 36 arrests made and 623 citations made during the Spring 2024 Rod Run. An attendee at the event this spring also died after he struck a vehicle door while driving a scooter near the intersection of the Parkway and Jake Thomas Road.

Changes at the 2024 Fall Rod left some attendees dismayed after a new city ordinance required vehicles parked along the side of the road to have current and valid registration, and barred any vehicles depicting advertising or “for sale” signs.

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