Itenerary
whats on the AGENDA for the 2026 Fall
Cherokee Rod Run?
Thursday
October 15, 2026
- VENDOR SETUP 8am -5pm
- ONSITE REGISTRATION - Opens at noon and runs thru 5 pm. Swing by the registration trailer to pickup your registration packets.
- EARLY BIRD SHOW - Noon till 5 pm, Registration opens and the Early Bird Show begins! Participants who are on-site during this time can vote for their favorite Early Bird Show winner. Cars present on Thursday are entered into their very own drawings for cash and door prizes!
- 5pm EVENING CRUISE With Prizes & Trophies - Everyone is welcome to join in on a sunset cruise thru the Smokies. We will depart from the show grounds and return before gates close that evening.
Friday
October 16, 2026
- GATES OPEN 8:30 AM
- REGISTRATION OPENS 8:30 AM
- CASH GIVEAWAYS 4:00 PM
- POKER RUN - All registered car owners are invited to take a scenic tour of the Cherokee Area, including the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way, five stops will be made at stations where the owner draws a poker card. The best hand and the worst hand wins a cash prize! Cards will be in your goodie bags that are picked up at registration.
- RAFFLE TICKETS - Purchase tickets at the Event Merchandise Trailer for the Tool Box and Crate Motor Giveaway!
- 50/50 TICKETS - Purchase tickets at the Event Merchandise Trailer or from one of the Golf Carts wizzing around.
- Offical Event Shirts and other Rod Run Gear - Shirts and other gear are for sale in the Event Merchandise Trailer on Friday and Saturday...until they're all gone! They make wonderful souvenirs of the "Cruise the Smokies" Rod Run and perfect gifts for family members!
- DINNER FOR PARTICIPANTS - A Thank You dinner is served to all registered participants by K&B of Bryson City, NC, complements of the Cherokee Rodders.
Saturday
October 17, 2026
- GATES OPEN 8:30 AM
- REGISTRATION OPENS 8:30 AM
- CASH GIVEAWAYS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF TROPHY WINNERS! 4:00 PM (Many of the trophies are handcrafted by Cherokee Rodders members and are coveted by Show participants)
- POKER WALK - All registered car owners are invited to take a WALK around the show grounds. Along the way, five stops will be made at stations where the owner draws a poker card. The best hand and the worst hand each wins a cash prize!
- RAFFLE TICKETS - Purchase tickets at the Event Merchandise Trailer for the Tool Box and Crate Motor Giveaway!
- 50/50 TICKETS - Purchase tickets at the Event Merchandise Trailer or from one of the Golf Cart wizzing around.
- Offical Event Shirts and other Rod Run Gear - Shirts and other gear are for sale in the Event Merchandise Trailer on Friday and Saturday...until they're all gone! They make wonderful souvenirs of the "Cruise the Smokies" Rod Run and perfect gifts for family members!
- VALVE CAR RACES - Competition is open to anyone attending the Rod Run who wants to build a valve car and enter the races. Rules can be found under the activities tab. Cash prizes for those who win!
- Model Car Competition - Registration begins Friday at noon and ends Saturday at noon. Awards will be given out on Saturday at 4pm.