Monday, May 6, 2013 | 7:01 p.m.
Hi, (not you?) | Member Center | Sign Out
Find fun things to doin the Atlanta, GA area
Updated: 8:42 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 | Posted: 8:41 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013
comment(1)
By WAYNE CRENSHAW
The Associated Press
BYRON, Ga. —
When the "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion returns to Byron next year, it might be east bound and down and twice as big.
Organizer Chris Jennings announced Tuesday he is in talks with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field to make the show also a "Smokey and the Bandit" reunion. If that happens, he expects it could draw 100,000 people.
The "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion held a month ago drew 53,000 people and was estimated to have $1 million economic impact.
"'Smokey and the Bandit' has a huge following as large -- if not larger -- than the 'Dukes of Hazzard,' "Jennings said in a news conference at the Middle Georgia Raceway, where the reunion was held. "To bring all of these cast members together is absolutely historic."
Released in 1977, two years before "Dukes of Hazzard" debuted, the movie had the same free-spirited, light-hearted action as the TV show, and a similar story line. Reynolds played Bo "Bandit" Darville on a high-speed, cross-country beer run with Jerry Reed as truck driver Cletus "Snowman" Snow. Field played the runaway bride picked up en route. Reed died in 2008 as a result of complications from emphysema. Jackie Gleason, who memorably played Sheriff Buford T. Justice, died of cancer in 1987.
Reynolds played Boss Hogg in the 2005 movie version of "Dukes of Hazzard."
Perry Swanson, president of the Peach County Chamber of Commerce, said he believes it's realistic to think 100,000 people could show next year if Reynolds and Field come.
"I think it could double in size," he said.
Jennings said plans already are being made to cope with the crowd if that happens, including adding more parking. He believes it wouldn't be a problem to deal with a crowd that size because the event would be spread over three days, March 8-10.
Mostly forgotten since its closure in 1984, the Middle Georgia Raceway is making a comeback under the ownership of Tim Thornton. He bought it six years ago with plans of developing a light-industrial park, but the economic downturn sent him in another direction.
"This is a lot more fun," he said.
He has held vintage race car shows at the track and is planning several more events this year, including an extreme monster truck show in May in which fans will see a monster truck do a back flip. Another vintage race car show and concerts are being planned this year. TV commercials also have been filmed there.
Swanson said he contacted hotels and restaurants after the "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion, and most reported doing about two and half times the business they normally would for the same days. All of the hotels he talked to were full.
"Everybody's been talking about it," he said. "The place was packed, and it was a lot of fun."
___
Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com
Copyright The Associated Press
comment(1)
© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website,
you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices
.
Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationForm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationFormBlank *} {* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddressBlank *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordBlank *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirmBlank *} {* agreeToTerms *}We have sent you a confirmation email. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.
We look forward to seeing you frequently. Visit us and sign in to update your profile, receive the latest news and keep up to date with mobile alerts.
Don't worry, it happens. We'll send you a link to create a new password.
{* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* forgotPassword_emailAddress *}We have sent you an email with a link to change your password.
We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
To sign in you must verify your email address. Fill out the form below and we'll send you an email to verify.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* resendVerification_emailAddress *}Check your email for a link to verify your email address.




You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Tell us about yourself
{* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* agreeToTerms *}