The Last Roundup

from Gearhead Gazzette magazine Vol. 22 Issue #19 Sept 15-28, 2022

by Jimmy B

Swap Meets

Photography By Nate Nelson & Ray Reed Story by Jimmy B Layout by Jimmy B

YES it rained one more time at Shades.

It was fitting that it did too, as the hot rod gods were probably shedding a tear, as the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup was coming to an end after 39 shows. Yes its hard to believe but true. This long and storied event had humble beginnings may years ago in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Started by a bunch of hot rodders as a way to get other hot rodders together in the resort town, it eventually out grew Gatlinburg. Many tales are told on how wild it was on some nights over the years, but you will have to get the old timers to tell you those!

The rod run eventually moved to Pigeon Forge with more room to spread out a little. If you attended any of the runs at the various hotels where the Roundup took place you know what we mean.

Over time, as Pigeon Forge grew wit more hotels and more people coming to vacation there, another new location was needed and found...The Smokey River Ranch. TSRR let the Shades club expand the show with a big swap meet, huge vendor area and plenty of parking for hot rods and spectators too.

After many years at TSRR location, the decision was made by the Shades club to move the event to the Dollywood Splash Country parking lot. Remember, it seems like most years the Shades Roundup saw some level of rain hit. While the Smokey River Ranch gave them lots of room, after a rain, especially a hard rain it got interesting in the softer areas of the grounds if you know what we mean. Dollywood and it’s blacktop parking lot took the “mud” issue away, even if it did rain.

The Roundup came to be the place to show off your latest build. The TOP 25

award has become coveted by many a hot rodder and being selected is a big deal. Car owners almost always put that TOP 25 decal in their window as a matter of pride. Just getting picked for any award at the Roundup (and there are many over the years) is a BIG DEAL when you have 2500-over 3000 entries.

Besides the awards, being in the drawing for an Alloways Hot Rod Shop built NEW hot rod was a huge draw. Over time besides the give away car, the SHADES gave away $10,000.00 to a lucky entry. If you entered early enough, you were eligible for both grand prizes.

From registration day thru the end of the show on Saturdays, the 50/50 drawing grew to unbelievable amounts!! We’re not talking hundreds, but 10’s of thousands to the winner, with the Shades donating the other half to their various charities.

In the beginning the Roundup was strictly for Pre-’48 hot rods. A while back the Shades club made the decision to open up the show eligibility to pre-’72 to expand the attendance. This was one great move in our opinion. There were nay sayers but they were proved wrong….VERY WRONG!!

For the last few shows, the Triple Crown of Rodding has been award to the BEST Hot Rod, Best Street Machine and BEST Street Cruiser a the Shades show. These winners come from the Magnificent Seven who are picked from the TOP 25. This has become a major award program

within a programs over the years and is only done at the Round up.

The nightly cruising on “The Strip” is legendary over the years. Making it from one end to the other has taken hours when the weather is right.

Speaking of the Strip, it is loaded with all kinds of cars, truck and whatever from one end to the other all weekend long. It’s a car show unto itself.

This is the draw this show has! Lots of great memories from attending this show for many of gearheads across the USA.

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. We just don’t have to like it but accept it.

Many many thanks to the Shades of the Past Street Rod Association for hosting all of us for so many years and giving us great memories for a lifetime.