For the third consecutive year, Tennessee’s Norris Lake will serve as the stage for the Rocky Top Power Run, set for Aug. 6-8, 2026. What began as a promising regional gathering has quickly evolved into a polished, lake-centered festival that balances high-performance boats, scenic cruising and meaningful fundraising—all while keeping the focus squarely on the water. Speedboat Magazine's editors will attend the event, will full coverage to follow in the September 2026 issue.
Organizer Matt Rogers of Rogers Bros. Detailing (and Rogers Bros. Marine) in LaFollette, TN, has refined the format based on lessons from the first two editions. “Everything this year is going to be on the water," he says. "That’s why everyone comes—to enjoy Norris Lake. It’s gorgeous. We want everyone to take that all in as much as they can while they’re here. Instead of doing a street party, we’ll do an early bird lunch run on Thursday, along with a sponsors tie-up. Then, of course, we’ll throw an opening night party with Speedboat Magazine, with a little meet-and-greet to get everybody acquainted with each other and ready to run on Friday and Saturday. This is our third year, and I think we’ve got it figured out.”
Headquarters shifts this year to Stardust Marina, providing a strong base for the three-day event. The schedule emphasizes time on the lake: Thursday features the early-bird lunch run and sponsors’ tie-up, followed by the Speedboat Magazine opening-night gathering. Friday and Saturday deliver the core power run action across roughly 10 marina stops (with the first two each day required). Participants can complete the full route or a shorter version while soaking in Norris Lake’s clear emerald waters and surrounding mountain views. After the required stops and lunch runs, helicopter tours will be available from the marina, offering a unique aerial perspective of the action and the scenic waterway.
This year’s detailed schedule keeps the emphasis on lake time while delivering structured fun:
• Thursday, Aug. 6 (Day 1), opens with check-in at Stardust Marina starting at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. lunch run to Shanghai Marina and a 1–5 p.m. early-bird tie-up at the Jumping Bridge. The evening culminates in the Speedboat Magazine Welcome Party at Stardust Marina with DJ XTina from 6–10 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 7 (Day 2), features breakfast and a driver’s meeting before a lunch run to Boathouse @ 33 and a stop at Whitman Hollow Marina, with the afternoon free for bonus-tier stops or lake exploration.
• Saturday, Aug. 8 (Day 3), wraps the poker-run action with a lunch run to Flat Hollow Marina and a key stop at Sugar Hollow Marina to complete the primary tier. Attendees can then enjoy a tie-up at Boy Scout Cove or return for card draws, followed by the participant and sponsor dinner, charity raffle close, winners and awards announcements, and a spectacular fireworks show by Pyro Shows to cap the weekend.
Rogers notes the event has averaged about 80 boats the past two years and is implementing a hard cap of 100 for 2026 to maintain quality and manage growth. The mix of vessels remains one of Norris Lake’s strengths—a true “triple threat” destination that draws everything from 19-foot bass and wakeboard boats to 50-foot high-performance muscleboats. Out-of-state participation continues to rise, adding credibility, while manufacturers are taking notice; organizers report interest that could include a prominent offshore team in future editions.
Beyond the boats and parties, the Rocky Top Power Run prioritizes impact. Proceeds benefit the Care Camps Foundation, which provides specialized camp experiences for children battling cancer and other serious illnesses, giving them moments of normalcy and joy outside hospital walls. The Good Boy Foundation (working closely with Alex Pratt) has also become a cornerstone partner, supporting the often-overpopulated Campbell County Animal Shelter. Last year the event raised $15,000, with more than a dozen shelter dogs—including an entire litter of puppies and their mom—finding homes right at the gathering. “We don’t do this for profit, but to raise money for charity,” Rogers emphasizes, underscoring the dual local and national reach of these efforts.
The Rocky Top Power Run has matured from a fledgling idea into an organized, community-minded lake festival with controlled growth, solid local partnerships and tangible charitable results. By moving nearly all activities onto the water, capping entries, and doubling down on both the scenic experience and the causes it supports, the 2026 edition looks poised to deliver its strongest weekend yet. For high-performance boaters seeking a relaxed yet energetic run amid some of the Southeast’s most beautiful scenery, Norris Lake in early August is the place to be.