PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — The Fall Rod Run is back in Pigeon Forge, bringing thousands of car lovers to the Smokies.

Pigeon Forge Police estimate around 100,000 people will pass through the area by Sunday.

“Between now and Sunday afternoon, we’ll probably have about 100,000 people that will swarm to the county,” said Pigeon Forge Police Captain Richard Catlett. “So it’s a big deal.”

Officers are preparing for busy roads and crowded sidewalks. Earlier this year, during the spring Rod Run, police handled more than 1,100 calls for service, issued 347 citations and made 78 arrests in one weekend.

Catlett said with other local events traffic could be even worse.

“The population is going to swell significantly with the UT-Georgia football game, our event and the NASCAR race in Bristol,” Catlett

See Full Page