About Cherokee Rodders
Our Mission
As the Cherokee Rodders, we strive to provide a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. Our mission is to bring together like-minded individuals to enjoy two days of old school car show fun, catch up with old friends and give back to our participants and community.
Event History
The "Cruise the Smokies" Cherokee Rod Runs were started way back in 2000. The O.G. Group was sitting around the conference room table of the Boys Club with "Chief" Bob Smith at the helm of an interesting idea.... Lets take back the Cherokee Show!!! Well, and so we did! For 25 years, the Cherokee Rodders have facilitated the Cherokee Rod Run bringing in car owners and enthusiasts from all across the Southeast. Nothing could be finer than to be in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina for a down to earth, old school car show.
Our Team
Cherokee Rodders are a group of volunteers who love old vehicles, love working on them and work extremely hard to make sure that our guests have a wonderful experience at our events.
Our Chairperson is Charles Bryson who works tirelessly in the weeks before, during, and after the car show, serves as our Leader, Show Emcee, Coordinator of all show activities, Facebook Administrator, expert storehouse of knowledge about old cars & trucks, and "Friend to All" who actually answers his phone when we call for information or advice.
The Goal
The Cherokee Rodders are a totally volunteer organization. No one gets paid a salary. Unlike many shows, we set the show up to give back as much as possible to our participants, spectators and vendors. If it wasnt for you all, we wouldnt have a show! After all the bills are paid, rainy day fund added to, we give it back in the form of prizes, drawings, and donations.
We support a variety of local charities and organizations including "Rolling Start", "Toys for Tots" , "Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation" , "Scholarships" for Southwestern Community College students; the Museum of the Cherokee People; Cherokee Boys Club; Land of the Sky Shriners; "Joey Parker Memorial Ride", "Wyatt's Rides", "Assistance for Hurricane Helene Victims in Western North Carolina" and many more.