Shades of the Past in Pigeon Forge Tennessee is one of the more iconic shows that goes on in the area. Pigeon Forge is known for being a stunning and cool vacation spot in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, an area southeast of Knoxville. This area is a tourist destination even without car and truck shows, but there are some great ones that attract even more folks from all over the country. The Shades of the Past show has been going on for almost 40 years but because the Dollywood parks have decided not to renew their lease of the parking lot for the show, the Shades of the Past Club members have decided they just don’t have the energy to try to relocate this whole show somewhere else. So after 39 years, they are going to retire.
We weren’t there, but our friend Tommy Lee Byrd, the Hot Rod Hoarder, was on hand to enjoy this last show. He got all kinds of cool video content, but one of our favorites is this cruising footage from one of the night cruises at Shades. Check it out, you’ll dig it.
Video Description:
I absolutely HATE that this show is ending after 39 very successful years. Dollywood Splash Country is not renewing the contract to lease the parking lot, and the guys in the Shades of the Past car club have decided to retire. It’s the end of an era! Enjoy OVER AN HOUR of cruising footage from the strip in Pigeon Forge, behind the wheel of my 1964 Chevelle four-door. Lots of great hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and even a Pro Street Chevelle that got me pretty excited.
Even though the Shades show won’t go on, the hot rod crowd will still spend their time as we have done for many years coming to the area to enjoy our time looking at and talking cars. The difference will be that there will be no organized show as such but cruising the strip with our rods will be the same as ever. Now if there is no organized event, can the motels continue to gorge customers with their “Special Events Surcharge” ?