After many years, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is still known as one of the main meccas for car shows in the Southeast. One of the many shows it plays host to is The Smoky Mountain F-100 Run put on by Jake Marcengill and Stanley Long. For many years Long put this show on in Lake Lure, North Carolina, but due to some scheduling problems, about three years ago Long moved the show to Mooresville, North Carolina. Unfortunately after a couple of years that didn't work out and Long needed some help. He partnered up with Marcengill and they decided to try having the show in Pigeon Forge and that was the trick. Participants started showing up as early as Wednesday and Thursday to stake out their spot in the big parking lot in front of the Smoky Shadows Motel. One of the activities that has been part of the event since the days in Lake Lure is the Friday night hamburger supper. The burgers are free, and it gives everyone a chance to get together and catch up on what they have been doing to their trucks the past year.
Last year was the third year for the show in Pigeon Forge, and the turnout was great for this strictly all-Ford truck show. By the time things got rolling Saturday morning over 120 trucks were sitting in the front parking lot of the Smoky Shadows Motel and Conference Center. Trucks came from all up and down the East Coast to take part in this great show. This is a great family event with games for both kids and adults, lots of cash giveaways, and door prizes. If mom got tired of sitting around the hotel she could catch the shuttle that runs by the hotel and go to one of the many strip malls on the on the main drag through Pigeon Forge.
The vendor turnout for this year's event was the best ever. There was just about everything you need to build a complete F-100 pickup. Carolina Classics, Mid Fifty F-100 Parts, and Dan Carpenter Specialties were just a few of the vendors on hand.
One of the popular things about this event is that instead of waiting until noon on Sunday to give out the awards, the presentations are done on Saturday evening. That way everyone could get an early start for home on Sunday. Everyone gathers in the small auditorium that is part of the motel complex to see who's truck was picked best of all. The show was so great that plans are already underway for 2011. If you are into Ford trucks this is one show you must attend. It is laid back and a good place to make new friends. So if you want to find out about what Marcengill and Long are going to do for this year's event, give them a call so you can mark this show on your calendar. Long can be reached at 864-324-4897 or by email at juststanley@bellsouth.net and Marcengill can be reached at 864-710-7844 or by email at jakemarcengill@bellsouth.net. Hope to see you there next year.