11th-Annual Southeastern Chevy/GMC All-Truck Nationals brings 1,300 trucks to Lebanon, TN in 2021

2021 marked the 11th year for the Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals, and Brian Ashley and his team have made this one of the biggest truck events in the country. Held July 9-10 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tenn., some 1,300 trucks found their way to the enormous show field. It really is an impressive turnout, as are the 27 specialty trophies that are given out at the end of the day. Bullock’s Bodywerk’s hand makes each award by artfully welding gears, timing chains, and other car parts together into one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Incredibly, the Hover Motor Company ’63 Chevy took home the hardware for “Best Survivor,” an award that I will be proud to display in my garage.

15th-Annual Fall Redneck Rumble

When you schedule a car show on a day as nice as it was Saturday, you are going to have a huge turnout. That was the case over the weekend for the 15th-Annual Fall Redneck Rumble, which roared into the Wilson County Fairgrounds with the always-popular car show and swap meet. If you could survive not getting run down by an ATV or golf cart, which seem to multiply every time they have this event, you will enjoy one of the more unique automotive events in the Nashville area. I was there for quite a while and took a lot of pictures, so if you read all the way to the end you may check out the album.

9th-Annual Tennessee Motorama brings cars out for the first time in 2020

The Tennessee Motorama is usually the first real car show of the year around Nashville, and it’s always nice to get off the couch and check out what’s happening in the real world. There was a threat of bad weather that didn’t really materialize, but that doesn’t matter because the show takes place inside the building at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. The show consisted of several Volkswagen Beetles, a few hot rods, some rat rods, a handful of motorcycles, and a few outliers. There were also swap meet vendors doing business around the perimeter of the show. All told, it wasn’t a bad way to spend a Saturday morning.

32nd-Annual Wilson Bank Oktoberfest Car Show brings the best of the AACA to Lebanon

For 32 years, Wilson County Bank has hosted the big Oktoberfest event at their main branch in Lebanon, Tenn. That tradition continued last weekend, including the big AACA car show on Sunday. The car show season tends to wind down quite a bit after this weekend, but not before 451 entries converged on about four different parking lots to make up this last-ditch blowout. I’ve been to this show before, but this was the first time I entered a car. Not only did my car take home a class award, but I got to spend the day hanging out with my teenaged son, and we were able to take our time studying all the nice cars and trucks on display.

Unusually beautiful weather at the Fall Redneck Rumble

Twice a year, the Wilson County Fairgrounds becomes the site of one of the most unusual car events in town. The Redneck Rumble combines elements of a car show, swap meet, motorcycle racing, camping, and a big, crazy party. Usually it seems to rain, making everything that much grittier. But this time, sunny skies and mild temperatures ruled the day. I’ve never seen so many people lined up to buy tickets for this. There were a ton of vendors, there were a ton of cars, and there were a ton of motorized vehicles, scooters, bikes, and ATVs recklessly bombing through every conceivable road and path. This is not your normal parking lot cruise-in. It’s a manic spectacle that crackles with life from every direction.

Rain didn't ruin the Redneck Rumble

Twice a year, the Redneck Rumble rides into the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. This year, the two-day event had to deal with not only rain, but several other big car shows in town. I entered my truck on Saturday, and even though attendance was obviously lighter than normal, there were still quite a few things to look at. I’ve been at this show in the rain before, and history has proven that rat rod and patina guys don’t mind a little wet weather. There’s also a swap meet at this show that typically offers up some interesting automotive treasures. This isn’t your usual ’69 Camaro resto-mod-style show. It’s different, which is part of what makes it interesting.

8th-Annual Tennessee Motorama rolls through the Wilson County Fairgrounds

Just because winter is here doesn’t mean that the car hobby is dead. The Tennessee Motorama has been proving that for eight years now, drawing in a nice little display of cars and swap meet booths at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. This is an indoor event, so everyone stays warm and dry while they peruse the aisles looking for bargains and ideas to complete their own projects. This show hits a variety of automotive tangents. On one end of the spectrum you’ll find a crusty old truck dripping with patina, and on the other end you’ll see someone showing off their Tesla. There’s definitely something for everybody at this show.

31st-Annual Oktoberfest Antique Car Show brings the best to Lebanon

Some of the best car shows of the year happen just as the car show season is winding down. Such was the case with the 31st-annual Lebanon Oktoberfest Antique Car Show, which was held last weekend around the Main Street Wilson Bank location in Lebanon, Tenn. It was a beautiful, cool day; just perfect for checking out all the beautiful, cool rides. 382 vehicles showed up for this event, making it one of the largest single-day car shows around. Also, since it is hosted by the Middle Tennessee AACA, there is always a nice assortment of factory-correct classics.

Big turnout for the 13th-Annual Fall Redneck Rumble

If you like your car shows a little more gritty, if you’re not really into shiny paint, and if you like dodging fast-moving bicycles, motor scooters, and rat-rodded golf carts, the Redneck Rumble is the place for you. The 13th-annual Fall edition was recently held at its usual location, the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tenn. And as usual, the place was packed with all manner of crusty and creative rides. There’s a lot to this show, including a cruise, swap meet, and even a demolition derby. I brought my own non-glossy truck to the party, so I had premium parking to go straight to the picture taking.

2018 Lebanon High School Car Show makes good use of their parking space

Lebanon High School held their annual fundraiser for the marching band last weekend, and lots of great cars showed up to do their part. The sun was as bright as the sun could be, but the temperatures were fairly reasonable for Tennessee in July. A high school is a pretty good place to have a car show, because when the students and teachers go home, there’s a huge parking lot that isn’t being used on the weekend. Every empty parking lot should be filled with cool old cars. I have decreed it.

Snow couldn't stop the 7th-Annual Tennessee Motorama

The State of Tennessee declared a “state of emergency” because of the weather at the same time the 2018 Tennessee Motorama was setting up at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Those conditions do not lead to a super successful car show. But give Both Barrel Productions credit—they didn’t cancel it. For their efforts, they were rewarded with a reasonable number of vendors, and about 10 show cars. You might think the cars would be beaters because people would keep the high-end stuff out of the snow. But as it turned out, most of them were so nice that they came in trailers anyway. So there weren’t many cars, but the quality was outstanding.

6th-Annual Tennessee Motorama moves to Lebanon in 2017

Tennessee’s first snow of the season took place this week, which means it’s time for the 6th-Annual Tennessee Motorama. This indoor winter car show moved from its original home in Murfreesboro to the new the Wilson County Expo Center in Lebanon. And although the salty, snowy roads kept a few show cars away, there were still several vendors there selling a nice variety of automobilia. It might not have been the biggest turnout based on the circumstances, but it was still worth the short trip north of Nashville. I know I’ve been getting a little stir-crazy for a local car show.

29th-Annual 2016 Oktoberfest Antique Car Show in Lebanon, TN

When I decided to run over and snap a few quick pictures of the 29th-Annual Oktoberfest Car Show after church last Sunday, I had no idea what I was getting into. It looked like hundreds of cars lined up on the shady front lawn of the Wilson County Bank corporate headquarters. Once I got through those, I looked across the street and realized there was an even bigger lot full of vehicles to tackle. Then, when I was nearing the end of that area, I noticed yet another lot full of cars down the street. In all, there were easily 500 cars in three different areas. This show is no joke. The selection of cars was pretty serious too. If you couldn’t find something to like at this show, you just don’t like cars.

2016 Fall Redneck Rumble mixes rust and water

I decided to try something different this year at the Fall Redneck Rumble in Lebanon, Tenn. Instead of just parking my truck out there, I loaded it up with junk to sell at the swap meet. It was fun … for a while. I moved a little stuff. I talked to all kinds of people about the truck, my merchandise, and anything else that came to mind. I really did enjoy it. But then, around lunchtime, the rain started pouring down in buckets, just as the weatherman had predicted. I closed up shop and set out to take pictures. Unfortunately, many of the show cars I saw when I came in had already left because of the weather. There were still enough out there to make a good story, though. Some of those rat rod guys aren’t going to let a little water bother them!

Wilson County Fairgrounds packs 'em in for the 2016 Spring Redneck Rumble

The Redneck Rumble has attracted rat rods, hot rods, and classics to the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tenn., for years. The fall edition proved to be so popular that they added a spring version in 2015. The second-annual spring gathering was Friday and Saturday, and despite it being Mother’s Day weekend, it was still a strong showing. As the title indicates, some of the entries were decidedly “redneck,” (since when did saw blades become an accepted substitute for fender replacements?!), but there were still some special rides throughout the show grounds. I caravanned out with members of the Tennessee chapter of the C-10 Truck Club, so the old HMC beater was right at home at this event.

2016 Jamie Guess Benefit Car Show at the Snow White Drive-In

Classic car owners love to get together anyway, but sometimes they can actually help someone while they’re doing it. Saturday, the Good Wheels Car Club organized a fundraiser car show for Jamie Guess, a car guy who suffers from advanced diabetes and other health problems. Hundreds of cars turned out for this event at the Snow White Drive-In in Lebanon to enjoy the weather, hang out with friends, and raise some money. A good old-fashioned greasy burger and milkshake from Snow White’s authentic diner didn’t hurt either.

2015 AACA Car Show at the Wilson County Fair

The Wilson County Fair in Lebanon, Tenn., has something for everyone. You like looking at fuzzy chickens? They’ve got them. You like smelling pigs? Take a whiff at the fair. Chocolate-covered bacon? Yep. Want to be so violently spun around on a ride that you puke? Tell your friends to stay clear of projectile corn dogs. Personally, I wanted to go there for the same reason I want to go anywhere—for the cars. The Mid-Tenn Regional Car Club hosted a big, one day car show, and it was a good one. More than 200 cars greeted visitors right at the entrance of the fair. It almost made me forget to check out the world’s tiniest woman in the carnival area.

2015 Spring Redneck Rumble

Last fall, the Redneck Rumble Car Show at the Wilson County Fairgrounds had such a great turnout that promoter Both Barrel Productions decided to add a spring date for 2015.  The turnout might not have been quite as enormous as the fall event, but it was pretty substantial. The weather was nice, and they were dealing with lots of other events, including a traditional hot rod show at the Opryland Hotel. I kind of liked having fewer cars there better, because it was easier to get around and take pictures, and there was less of a chance that you would be run down by a bicycle, golf cart, go-kart, tractor, or motor scooter. The possibility was still there, but at least you had room to dive out of the way.

Bailey Roddy Benefit Car Show packs 'em in at the Snow White Bar-B-Q

When I saw the announcement that there was going to be a car show at the Snow White Bar-B-Q Drive-In in Lebanon, Tenn., I was expecting ten guys sitting in cars eating lunch. When we got there, I was quite surprised to see an event so huge it required the police to be there to direct traffic. This was a benefit for Bailey Roddy, a 7th-grade girl who had brain surgery for arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a disease that affects the flow of blood from the heart to the brain. It’s nice to see such a big turnout of car people for such a worthy cause.

Cruise season winds down at Coach's Eastgate Grille

Now I’m starting to feel a little sad. The first car cruise that I went to when I moved to Nashville was the first cruise of 2014 at Coach’s Eastgate Grille in Lebanon, Tenn. And now, it looks like one of the last cruises of the year that I’ll be going to is, you guessed it, the one at Coach’s Eastgate Grille. These guys started the season early, and are ending the season late. Plus, they do a good job with this event, offering door prizes and even lunch to participants. This is a pretty good way to end things. That’s especially true when you see what kind of cars they had on display.