Pigeon Forge Turns Into a Racetrack as Street Racers Take Over Parkway — ‘Engines Roared, Tires Smoked, It Was Insane’
PIGEON FORGE, TN – What started as a weekend car meet turned into a full-blown street takeover in Pigeon Forge late Saturday night, with roaring engines, smoking tires, and flashing lights filling the city’s Parkway. Law enforcement from across Sevier County rushed to disperse the massive crowd as the midnight “car chaos” spiraled out of control, according to WBIR.
By midnight, witnesses said the usually tourist-friendly stretch of shops and restaurants looked more like a drag strip.
“Last night was crazy,” one participant told. “People came from everywhere. The streets lit up.”
When Car Culture Clashes With City Limits
The mayhem reportedly started near Jimmy’s Market, where crowds of muscle cars, modded imports, and lifted trucks filled parking lots and side streets. As the night went on, burnouts, donuts, and impromptu races broke out across multiple intersections.
Police said participants blocked traffic, crossed into active lanes, and staged stunts dangerously close to pedestrians and parked cars.
Businesses nearby were forced to close early, while some posted warnings online alerting customers that operations might be disrupted due to the influx of car enthusiasts.
“It was like the whole Parkway became a racetrack,” one store owner said. “The noise didn’t stop — our windows were literally shaking.”
“It Felt Like a Train Passing Through My Living Room”
Residents in surrounding neighborhoods described deafening noise throughout the night.
“Our windows rattled like a train was passing by,” one homeowner told local reporters. “You could hear engines revving for hours.”
Others said they were unable to pull out of driveways or even cross intersections as the crowd of vehicles and spectators grew.
By late evening, Sevier County deputies, Pigeon Forge police, and officers from neighboring cities converged on the area to control traffic and escort cars off commercial property.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement confirmed that while most drivers complied, some received citations for reckless driving or trespassing on private business lots. Authorities are now reviewing footage to identify drivers who performed stunts or obstructed traffic.
City officials said they plan to implement stricter enforcement and possible curfews for future events tied to unofficial car shows.
“We want people to enjoy their cars,” one Pigeon Forge officer said, “but when it crosses into danger, we have to step in.”
Split Reaction From Locals and Drivers
While residents called the scene “reckless and dangerous,” some car enthusiasts defended the gathering as part of local car culture, arguing that the police response was overblown.
“We weren’t hurting anyone,” one driver said. “It’s just cars, lights, and noise. Everyone’s overreacting.”
But others disagreed.
“It’s not car culture,” a resident posted online. “It’s chaos — and it’s costing businesses and the city money.”
Should cities like Pigeon Forge create safe, designated spaces for car meetups — or start cracking down harder on spontaneous gatherings? Join the conversation at FatCityFeed.com.
