When the warm weather arrives in the 9 Lakes Region, the landscape becomes alive with beautiful spring flowers, outdoor events, and day trippers enjoying scenic drives. A sure bet in the region are classic cars displayed at multiple cruise- ins and events, attracting antique car enthusiasts to share stories and swap parts.

While you are out day tripping, here are three spring events you will want to cruise into:

Rockwood’s Thunder Road Festival is held in Historic Rockwood and celebrates the roots of moonshining in East Tennessee. The top prize is awarded to the “Best Moonshine Runner.” Also on display are vintage and custom motorcycles. Live music and the Moonshine Obstacle course round out the day’s events.

Continuing in East Tennessee’s legacy of moonshining, Newport is not only the home of infamous moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, but also the Moonshine Rod Run. This annual event has been going on in Newport, TN for more than 30 years and is attended by hundreds of rod owners and thousands of spectators over the years! This is a great weekend filled with beautiful hot rods, food, & fun!

While mountain laurel is the star of the Mountain Laurel Festival in Wartburg, TN, it is the amazing scenery and winding roads that really beckon people to this small community. The festival features hiking in the Obed Wild and Scenic River with its 500 foot deep gorges and thickets of mountain laurel. On the courthouse square, classic cars and hot rods line the block, while food trucks and live music fill the streets for a day of music, food, and demonstrations. On your way home, check out Morgan County’s newest attraction, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary for a meal and dare we say some locally distilled moonshine?