The annual Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge took place over the weekend and kept area law enforcement busy. The Pigeon Forge Police Department reported a 20% increase in incidents from the 2022 edition.
The annual car show which took place from April 13-15 drew large crowds to Sevier County with hundreds of show cars, car corrals, and a large cash giveaway.
Overall, there were 1,097 calls for service, 315 citations, 47 arrests, 21 incident reports and 22 accidents.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Sevier County and Blount County Sheriff’s Office assisted PFPD with enforcement during the event. There was a large police presence for the event and the chief of police said at one point Friday evening they had almost 50 officers working.
“This past weekend was a typical rod run for us. We had a lot of unruly behavior here that pretty much came from one group,” said Pigeon Forge Chief of Police Richard Catlett.
What was supposed to be a family vacation turned into a tragedy in Pigeon Forge Friday when a man attending the Rod Run car festival died.
“We come here every year for the Rod Run. We come three times out of the year, we’re here a week each time we’re here. This was my son’s first time actually attending it with me,” said his father, Jeremy Hanes.
Jeremy and his 31-year-old son, Kyle Hanes, bonded over their love for cars.
“He loved cars, we own a car lot in Indiana, and he was my ace, my number one, he was like me made over,” said Jeremy.
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