Thursday, September 3, 2009

Rod Run Weekend in Pigeon Forge


The Rod Runs in Pigeon Forge are events to behold. Its not September until two back-to-back weekends are filled with classic cars parading down the street as the night sky is lit up with every hotel and headlight in the downtown area.

On the weekend of the 11th, the Shades of the Past Rod Run comes to The Smoky River Ranch in Pigeon Forge, but you'll be seeing its presence for miles around. The Rod Run is ENORMOUS here in town and those who come to attend will pretty much party a good deal of the night away (just use excellent judgment when you do). The sidewalks will be lined with chairs, festive watchers, owners, gearheads and much much more.

Word of warning: Traffic will be INSANE and there is nothing you can do about it. Just get in early, find a reasonable spot and some comfort footwear and enjoy.

On the 18th is the Grand Rod Run which takes place at the Grand Hotel and Convention Center. This is the biggest one of the year and if you missed anyone the first week, its a good chance they stuck around for this one.

But night comes on fast in Pigeon Forge and soon its dinner time. Southern dinners generally bring ideas of sweet barbecue, crunchy chicken, green fried tomatoes, ribs, brisket, hickory smoked sausage and Bennett's Barbecue, with front row seats to the town-wide show, provides all.

Bennetts is located on the Parkway across the street from adventure golf and is an easily accessible place to indulge fantasies of southern cuisine. There is plenty of seating, salad bar, the aforementioned dinnerstuffs plus Catfish, South-of-the-Border Chicken Breast, Cattleman New York Strip, Rocky Mountain Ribeye, Pork Shoulder, Jumbo Baby-Back Ribs.

Yeah, its all there and waiting for you, buddy.

Get your reservations in early, Bennetts fills up quickly on Rod Run weekends.