**PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—The Pigeon Forge Rod Run Show Revs Up: New Roadside Car Sale Restrictions Loom**
The annual Pigeon Forge Rod Run began in grand style on Thursday, attracting thousands of vehicle aficionados to East Tennessee. This beloved festival, which began in Gatlinburg in the 1970s, continues to showcase classic and custom vehicles through a variety of attractions.
For many attendees, the Rod Run is a sentimental experience. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” remarked local resident Mark Davis, exemplifying the show’s enduring appeal. This year’s event included hundreds of show cars, a bustling car corral, outstanding awards for exceptional automobiles, and a hefty cash giveaway of $8,000.
The Rod Run’s history is as colorful as the vehicles on show. Initially hosted by a Maryville car club in Gatlinburg, the event outgrew the town by 1982, requiring its transfer to Pigeon Forge. The yearly meeting has since evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated automotive events.
Typically, the Rod Run features a bustling scene of roadside auto sales, as enthusiasts market their vehicles and entice collectors with tempting prices. However, this year represents a dramatic shift due to new limits imposed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
TDOT, which owns the parkway and its accompanying right-of-way, including the first row of parking spaces in front of local businesses, has reached a new deal with Pigeon Forge. According to this agreement, cars parked in certain locations cannot show advertisements for more than 72 hours. This stipulation influences how roadside car sales are handled throughout the event.
Officials in Pigeon Forge have verified that this law will have an influence on how cars are sold along the Parkway. The adjustment is part of a larger attempt to regulate the usage of public space and ensure conformity with statutory rules. However, municipal leaders highlighted that the core Rod Run event, which takes place at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, will not change. The real car exhibition will go ahead as usual, with the main impact of the new limits felt in the roadside sales area.
“While the new rules will go into effect before the fall Rod Run, there will be no interruption in the car show this year,” Rod Run organizer Ellen Carter stated. “Attendees can still enjoy the same great features and experience we’ve always offered.”
The Rod Run continues to attract automotive enthusiasts from near and far, and the adjustments serve as a reminder of the ever-changing face of municipal restrictions. Despite these changes, the spirit of the Rod Run remains as strong as ever, providing an amazing experience for all participants.
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