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Atlanta - 2026 Grand Invitational - Southbound & Down

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About this event

Y’all come ... and enjoy our southern hospitality!

The Dogwood Region is pleased to welcome you to the 2026 LCCI Grand Invitational, Southbound and Down.

Not since Bo “Bandit” Darville smuggled a truckload of Coors beer from Texas, picking up a runaway bride along the way and drawing the attention of father-of-the-jilted-groom Sheriff Buford T. Justice, has such a highly anticipated truck show – er, car event – of this caliber come to Georgia.

Transportation

Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport, and we residents are spoiled by the abundance of direct flights. If you fly in, you can deplane here instead of just changing planes. If you prefer to arrive via a high-speed chase, or even a leisurely drive, Atlanta is at the confluence of three major interstates (I-20 east-west, I-75 & I-85 north-south) – and we hope that many of you will bring your automotive beauties to enter in the Big Gay Car show. Don’t bring a truckload of Coors, though; we have dozens of good microbreweries here.

Weather

Spring in Atlanta is glorious, with a riotous display of daffodils, azaleas, cherry blossoms, magnolias, and of course dogwoods. May is usually temperate, and the summer heat doesn’t become oppressive until at least June.

Venue

Our host hotel, as in 2008, is the Atlanta Marriott Northeast at Century Center. Since the last time the Dogwoodies hosted a Grand Invitational, the hotel has (like many of us), had work done, with all guest rooms and most public spaces having been thoroughly refurbished. BREAKFAST is INCLUDED for up to two per room, as a good social opportunity to mix and mingle with some new and current friends.The LCC rate is valid for up to two days before or two days after the event, should you wish to arrive early or stay on extra days.

Click for LCC nightly rate of $159.00 (+$30.44 Govt taxes/fees) INCLUDING BREAKFAST !

26GI Marriott Exterior

Schedule

Tuesday Evening

Those registering for the Full-5 Day Package (Only $499!) may arrive Tuesday and check in at the Marriott, pick up your registration materials, and settle in to your room. In the evening, meet and greet your fellow attendees at our opening-night cocktail reception. We’ll supply the hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet the registrants you don't know.

Wednesday and Thursday

Your Full 5-Day Package includes a rotation through four museums / collections, transportation to them, and lunch on Wednesday and Thursday:

The Savoy Automobile Museum https://savoymuseum.org/visit

The Savoy connects people to the cultural diversity of the automobile. Through changing exhibits, educational programs, and engaging experiences individuals have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and history of these vehicles.

The Booth Western Art Museum https://boothmuseum.org

The Booth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution, is a 120,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, Georgia, 45 miles northeast of Atlanta. Guests experience America's story through contemporary Western artwork, a Presidential Gallery, a Civil War art gallery, and changing special exhibitions.

The Stable of Thoroughbreds http://www.thecofercollection.com

The Cofer Collection, or Stable of Thoroughbreds, is one of the finest in the Southeast. Every car is meticulously maintained and driven on a regular basis by curator Cecil McCall, a Dogwoody member, and overseen by Chip Cofer, son of the founder. The highlight of the collection is a 1935 Fernandez and Darin bodied SJ Duesenberg originally owned by the late Madeline Astor, widow of John Jacob Astor, and includes a Cord, a Tucker, and many other fabulous cars.

26GI Cofer 2

The Marsh Collection (Private collection)

Local auto enthusiasts Bill and Ann Marsh, friends of the Dogwoody club, have graciously invited us to enjoy their collection of cars and other eclectic automotive memorabilia in a garage to die for.

26GI Marsh collection 3

We’ll provide the transportation, taking you to the attractions in air-conditioned comfort via motor coach. For crowd control and capacity reasons, you’ll split into four groups.

On Wednesday, two groups will head north to Cartersville, to either the Savoy or the Booth. The groups will come together for lunch at the Booth, then in the afternoon they’ll visit the museum they didn’t visit in the morning. The other two groups will head east to Tucker, Georgia, to either the Stable of Thoroughbreds or the Marsh Collection. The groups will come together for lunch near Stone Mountain, then in the afternoon they’ll see the collection they didn’t see in the morning.

Wednesday evening

Enjoy a low-key reception at the hotel, cash bar provided, and meet some new people. Find some new dinner companions to head out with you to explore one of our many local restaurants – perhaps one that's part of the multicultural bounty of nearby Buford Highway.

Thursday

During the day on Thursday, as a Full-5-Day-Package registrant, you will head in the other direction to see the other two attractions. As on Wednesday, you’ll partake of one attraction in the morning and the other in the afternoon, with lunch as a group in between. In the evening, compare notes with others on the works of art you've seen the past two days, whether they were paintings, sculptures, live scenery or automobiles.

Those registering for the 3-Day Weekend Package (only $299!) will begin to arrive. In the evening, will will gather to welcome them while enjoying some hors d'oeuvres, and optionally, visiting the cash bar.

Friday

You’re on your own during the day to enjoy free time before the evening entertainment, but we have lots of suggestions, depending on which part of Georgia or Atlanta you want to experience:

Mountain Drive to Expedition Big Foot with Scenic Lunch
https://www.expeditionbigfoot.com

Some 90 miles north of Atlanta, enjoy a scenic drive into the foothills of the north Georgia mountains and through Ellijay (sometimes called “Eli-gay” by those in the know) to this quirky museum devoted to America’s most famous cryptid, Bigfoot. The attraction houses the country’s largest permanent display of genuine bigfoot casts, and other artifacts. Enjoy The "Sasquatch Theater", browse the gift shop, or relax in the Bigfoot Reference Library. Then it's off to Amicalola Falls State Park to enjoy your provided lunch in their scenic dining room. After lunch there will be time to see and hike the falls.

Note: This is the only Friday activity that you’ll need to pre-purchase as part of your GI registration. The other choices below are pay-as-you-go.

26GI Expedition Bigfoot Interior

The Porsche Experience
https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta

Atlanta is home to the North American headquarters of Porsche and of the Porsche Experience Center, just south of downtown and near the airport. Guided tours are available, and demo laps give you the opportunity to ride in a Porsche model with a professional drive coach behind the wheel. General admission is (currently) $5, and guided tours are $16.

Georgia Aquarium
https://www.georgiaaquarium.org

The largest aquarium in the U.S. is always worth a trip to downtown Atlanta. Highlights include the Ocean Voyager exhibit, with whale sharks and manta rays, and the Dolphin Coast exhibit, featuring bottlenose dolphins. Guests can also explore various animal encounters and presentations, such as the Georgia Explorer exhibit with touch tanks and a marsh environment.

26GI GA Aquarium Pride

Atlanta Botanical Gardens https://atlantabg.org

In the Midtown neighborhood, historically the home of Atlanta’s gay community, the botanical gardens offer dazzling floral displays, mosaiculture, and art installations. The gardens boast the Fuqua Conservatory and orchid center, skyline gardens, edible gardens, a canopy walk and the Longleaf restaurant.

Driving Tour of Druid Hills and Buckhead

A driving tour of Druid Hills will offer glimpses into parkways and linear parks designed by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, as well as elegant homes and lush greenery. Key areas to explore include Lullwater Road, Springdale Road, and Clairmont Drive, all known for their beautiful architecture and connection to the film "Driving Miss Daisy." Driving through Buckhead, one encounters the Georgia Governor's Mansion and the grand estates and stunning architecture of Tuxedo Park. Finally, enjoy the twists, turns, and scenery while driving along Northside Drive, where you can admire the beautiful homes.

Friday Evening

Return from your excursion, enjoy dinner on your own, and enjoy a dessert and coffee reception before the evening's entertainment, our pièce de résistance, noted car salesman, mid-century pop culture expert, and performer Charles Phoenix.

26GI Charles Phoenix car sales

Before the show, partake of the Dessert & Coffee Reception (and the obligatory cash bar, if you wish), welcome recent arrivals you haven't met, and chat about your Friday adventures.

Saturday

Saturday is the Big Gay Car Show! If you show it, we will rate it. You will vote with your smart phone, using a method that we hope to figure out before the show starts. The show will be held just across the street from the hotel. Remember your sunscreen and big, floppy hat! We'll give you a break around noon to cool off and enjoy a box lunch that the hotel will provide, in one of its air-conditioned banquet rooms.

Saturday Evening

Saturday evening is the Big Gay Awards Banquet! For your enjoyment, the dual entree that will be brought to your table includes both chicken and salmon. (If you don't like both, consider trading with another diner.) A vegetarian option will of course be available.

Sunday

All good things must come to an end. After your farewell breakfast and check-out Sunday morning, the Dogwoodies will wave at you as you depart, their sadness tinged with relief.

26GI S&B 3

Click to link to LCC Marriott room reservations $159 including BREAKFAST

Date and Time

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 7:00 PM until Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:00 AM

Location

Atlanta Marriott Northeast
Marriott Room Block Link
2000 Century Center Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30345
USA
404-325-0000

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Event Contact(s)

Mark Wiggers
GI 2026 Coordinator
770-337-0713 (c)

Chris Johnson
GI Registration
678-772-9678 (c)

Bill Schroder
Region Director
706-540-2392 (c)

Registration Info

Registration is required before Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Payment In Full In Advance Only

Registration cancellations will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations:

Cancellations must be received in writing via email to Chris Johnson at chj0@comcast.net by the cancellation date of April 1, 2026 in order to be eligible for a refund.

All refunds will be less 3% for credit card processing charges and will be made in the form of a Bank check sent via USPS to the home address on file in your LCCI member profile.

Changes:

Any changes to your registration must be requested in writing via email to Chris Johnson at chj0@comcast.net by April 15, 2025, at the latest. Refunds resulting from changes will be made in the form of a Bank check based on the above cancellation policy.

Hotel reservation cancellations/changes are separate. You must contact the hotel directly to make any changes or cancel your reservation (within the deadlines specified in the hotel reservation policies).

Number of People Who Will Attend

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Non Member's Guest

* This can be your primary registrant type. Only one primary registrant type is allowed per registration.

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Activities/Items (Click the down-arrow to view details)

Full 5-Day Package

Weekend 3-Day Package

Friday Option: Expedition Big Foot with Scenic Lunch

Friday Option: Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Friday Option: The Porsche Experience

Friday Option: Georgia Aquarium

Friday Option: Driving Tour of Druid Hills and Buckhead

Check if you plan to show a car(s)

Purchase a Souvenir T-Shirt

Purchase a Souvenir Cap