If you go
› What: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels› Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St.› When: 3-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11-13› Admission: $16 ages 12 and up, $5 ages 6-11, free for children 5 and younger; advance discount tickets that save $2 may be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores› For more information: http://worldofwheels.net/chattanooga-tn/tickets/
What is arguably the most popular car show of the year rolls into town on Friday, Jan. 11, for its annual three-day show in the Chattanooga Convention Center.
O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels features custom cars and trucks, custom motorcycles, restored vehicles, vendors, giveaways and celebrity meet-and-greets for an exciting, fun weekend.
This weekend's show is a nod to some of the most iconic vehicles from film and television.
Visitors throughout the weekend can tour the Dukes of Hazzard Museum, which includes memorabilia, replicas of the General Lee, Daisy Duke's Jeep, Daisy's Road Runner and Rosco's police cruiser.
And no "Dukes of Hazzard" fan weekend would be complete without an appearance by one of the Duke boys. So John Schneider - aka Bo Duke - will be at World of Wheels on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. meeting fans and signing autographs (the latter for a small fee.)
There will also be a "Smokey and the Bandit" tribute to the late Burt Reynolds, and fans of "The Fall Guy" can see Lee Major's stunt truck from the TV show.
Kids will be thrilled to see the official replica of Optimus Prime from "Transformers" and can even have their photos made sitting in the Autobot.
In addition to "Transformers," there will be appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants, "Star Wars" characters from the 501st Legion and a monster truck bounce house. The first 100 kids through the door each day will receive a free Hot Wheels car. The Alabama Hot Wheels Club will have a drag track on-site where kids can race their new car for free.
The fun starts Friday with a drawing for an Apple prize pack that includes a new iPad, Apple watch and Airpods. Also Friday night only, every paying visitor into the show will receive a free hot dog from the concession stand.
Sunday afternoon Dave Kindig from Kindig It Designs will meet fans and sign autographs from noon to 4 p.m. West Coast pin-striper Von Hot Rod will be at the show pin-striping items all weekend.
Among the giveaways will be a Talladega NASCAR package that includes two tickets to the spring race and $100 for gas money to get there, a custom vehicle paint job from Chatt Town Exclusives valued up to $4,000 and a camping kit that includes a two-person tent, two sleeping bags and camping chairs, hammock, campfire coffee makers, coffee, Chatt Whiskey gear and stainless steel shot glass set.
For more information: worldofwheels.net/chattanooga-tn-features-and-attractions.