Elite trucks gather for annual show

It wouldn’t be unlikely this weekend--while sitting in Pigeon Forge traffic--to look out the driver’s side window and see a truck straight out of a hot rod magazine idling right beside you. The 14th annual Chevy/GMC Truckin’ Nationals will be held at Rivers Landing-Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Judging from early response, this year’s event could be the biggest yet. “Right now we have 24 vendors and about 250 trucks that we know are coming,” said Charlie Cobble, an organizer of the event. “This looks like it’s going to be our biggest and best show yet.” Cobble said trophies would be given out to the winners of 30 different classes. “If you want to see magazine trucks, then come here,” said Tim Christianson of Christian’s Classic Truck Parts in Rogersville, Tennessee. “There’s sure to be some of the nicest trucks on the east coast come through here this weekend.” There were five national magazines covering the show in 2003. John Saltern will more than likely be able to say he’s made the longest journey to the show. Saltern hauled his 1972 Super Cheyenne Chevy 4-wheel drive down from Ontario, Canada. The show will officially open at 8 a.m., on Friday. On Friday and Saturday the show will close at 6 p.m. It will close at 3 p.m., on Sunday, the show’s final day.