About the Show
When it’s “Cruise the Smokies” time in Cherokee, North Carolina – hot rods & custom cars & trucks gather here from all over the Southeastern United States to create something special. A car show with hundreds of awesome cars, trucks, and special guests like Don Garlitz with his "Swamp Rat 12" and Bill Gibson with his car "Christine" along with thousands of spectators. Since its beginning in 2000, the Cherokee Rodders “Cruise the Smokies” Rod Run has grown from a car show hosted at a small parking area to a two-day celebration of hot rods and custom cars & trucks for the people who build them, drive them, and just simply enjoy looking at them!
Experience the rod run
Our 2025 Fall Car Show will be located at the New Cherokee Fairgrounds, 1501 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 (formerly the Old Cherokee High School location) on Friday and Saturday. Features will be the 60’s background music, valve car races with cash prizes,trophies, a swap meet, crafters, food trucks, and vendors with automobile parts, not to mention the free BBQ dinner for car show participants, poker cruise & poker walk for participants, and a Cruise-in on Friday night.
We hope you will join us for this mountain-grown, unique experience and share it with your friends, family and long-time Rod Run acquaintances! Thank you for your support of the “Cruise the Smokies” Rod Run, and we look forward to seeing you soon!