This year, thousands of Ford F-100 enthusiasts invaded Knoxville, Tennessee's Chilhowee Park for the first time to celebrate the 26th Annual Ford F-100 Supernationals and Ford Family Reunion.
Having to turn away 150 trucks and just as many vendors from last year's 25th Anniversary Ford F-100 Supernationals at the Grand Hotel Convention Hall in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, helped sway Pat Ford's decision to move the gathering to a larger venue for the sake of the show. The Ford F-100 Supernationals originated at Chimney Rock, North Carolina, from 1979 to1983, and then it was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, from 1984 until 1989, until it was moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, from 1990 to 2003.
Pat Ford met with the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation in November 2003 to discuss the possibilities of moving the Ford F-100 Supernationals to Knoxville. Many other cities were considered as a location for the massive event. After meeting with Bob Polk, Tim Cinnamon and the rest of the staff, Ford said it was their attitude, professionalism, and desire that was the closer.
After a quarter century, the Ford F-100 Supernationals was moved to a larger, more accommodating and scenic Chilhowee Park. The park is spread over 80 hilly, shady picturesque acres, featuring a large man-made lake, the 56,000-square foot air-conditioned Jacobs Building, and an open-air theater. Chilhowee Park is also home of the Tennessee Valley Fair and NSRA Street Rod Nationals. Chilhowee Park neighbors the Knoxville Zoo - home of 800 exotic animals.
The 26th Ford F-100 Supernationals was a three-day show. Thursday was catered for early arrivals and the Show's Grand Opening at 10 a.m., followed by the beginning of the show 'n' shine. Saturday, the gates opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. and included the show 'n' shine and vendor's village with continuous tech presentations by aftermarket manufactures all day. At 2 p.m., special guests, vintage Ford tractors, gathered for a parade around the lake. At 5 p.m., the parade of F-1 and F-100 trucks exited the park, and with a police escort, cruised to the Tennessee Smokey Baseball Stadium for a special guest appearance prior to the game. Cruise participants parked in the designated F-100 corral. Three F-100s were displayed out on the field for the fans to admire prior to batting practice. Ford F-100 Supernationals promoter, Pat Ford, was the master of ceremonies and threw out the first pitch, which Pat will tell you was a strike. Judging was carried out all day Saturday until 5 p.m. Spectators and participates enjoyed strolling the picturesque grounds admiring its natural beauty and some of the greatest Effies on the planet. The extensive awards banquet began promptly at 7 p.m. in the freshly refurbished air-conditioned Jacob Building. A standing-room-only audience attended the event, which was hosted by Pat Ford and master of ceremonies, Dale Holland. There was definitely not a shortage of hardware given out and good things to say about the Ford F-100 Supernationals family and friends.
Pat and Jan Ford and their professional staff must be commended for their commitment to excellence, love, and devotion to all fellow F-100 Supernational participants, spectators, and the media. Truckin' magazine would like to thank Pat and Jan Ford for their warm and loving Southern hospitality.
26th Ford F-100 Supernationals, Knoxville, TennesseeThe Ford F-100 Super Team:
Pat Ford, Jan Ford, Debbie Ford, Squire Ford, Chelsea Case Ford, Kevin Case, Dale Holland, Ron Holland, Pat Martin, Terry Martin, Edna Dishman, Jim Cranford, Pat Cranford, Millicent Estes, Bradley Rhine, Denise Holland, Dianne Hill, Brenda Foil, Faye Lippard, Eleanor Andrews, Helen Cross, Chris Pekarek, Paul Brown, Richie Richmond, Bor Cross, Audrey Bragg, Terry Bragg, Clyde Estes, Joe Camp, Lance Berry, Gary Rutten, Jack Tweeden, Richard Boyd, and Ron and Peggy Wood.
950 Ford Trucks Registered
100 Ford Tractors Registered
Awards:
Truck of the Year:
Truck 585 - Kevin and Susan Taylor, Greenville, Virgina
Final Four:
Truck 585 - Kevin and Susan Taylor, Greenville, VirginaTruck 766 - Larry and Pam Hill, Orillia, Ontario, CanadaTruck 662 - Jim Boruff, Morganville, Tennessee Truck 814 - Don Hackenburger, San Bernardino, California
Dan Ford Spirit Award:
Doug Wimberly, Hamilton, Ohio
Brett Ford's Incredible Youth Award:
Joseph Carpenter, Lumberton, North Carolina
Jan's Real Backbone of the Organization Awards:
Autumn Neiheisel, Columbus, OhioSusie Siminoe, Mexquite, TexasSandy Boruf, Moganville, TennesseeNancy Leonard, Ashtabula, OhioJulia Murphy, Knoxville, Tennessee
Peoples Choice:
Truck 814 - Don Hackernburger, San Bernardino, California
Kid's Pick:
Bill Lee, Corona, California
Long Distance:
Brian Anderson, West Perth, Australia
Truck of the Year '67-'72:
Truck 338 - Robert Sean Smith, McDonough, Georgia
Truck of the Year '61-'66:
Truck 448 - Guy Adams, Woodstock, Georgia
Truck of the Year '48-'52:
Truck 552 - Gerry & Maxine Cockrell, Abilene, TexasTruck 819 - Mike Meade, Bluffton, Indiana
F-100 Classes:
F-1 Pickup Class '48-'52 Stock Top 15F-1 Pickup Class '48-'52 Custom Top 50F-100 Pickup Class '53-'56 Stock F-100 Pickup Class '53-'56 CustomF-100 Panel Class '53-56M-100 (Mercury) of Show
F-1 Class Truck of the Year:
F-1 Stock Top 10F-1 Custom Top 25'61-'66 F-100 Class Truck of the Year'61-'66 F-100 Stock Top 561-'66 F-100 Custom Top 10
Pre-'48 Class:
'57-60 Class'73-79 Class'80-86 Class'87-04 ClassPre '56 Big Truck Class
Other Top & Miscellaneous Awards:
Club Participation:
Hard Luck
Special Awards:
Model Truck Show Awards -
Youth
Teen
Adult
Best Display
Most Creative