events
During Miatas at the Gap, we coordinate a range of meetups and events, contingent upon volunteer involvement. Our events list is updated as August approaches to ensure maximum participation from confirmed volunteers. Our events list is similar each year with variations in drives and meet-ups. If you have an event idea that's not listed, please reach out to us via our contact form no later than July 1st.
Farewell Fun Drive
When you need another driving fix before you get home, we got you covered.
This is officially round three of a fun drive to some more distant areas. We have three to pick from as there are a number of driving playgrounds away from the Fontana area that are less touristy and memorable. We will do a lunch stop.
There are places to peel off if your destination is not back towards Fontana so stay as long as you can! If you can make this one, you will be glad you did!
Highly suggested you have a radio with charger for your vehicle as it improves the experience greatly! And you don’t get separated out and about. This has been a semi-spirited run the last couple of years so expect and upbeat pace to end another amazing weekend!
Fiddies 4 Life @ DGMR
A local tradition unlike any other; head over to DGMR for a fun night of racing small bore bikes around the parking lot.
Bonfire
Do you want to chill out and enjoy the sounds of Miatae mixed with nature and recap your amazing day or plan for tomorrow? Come hang out by the fire and relax courtesy of Miatas at the Gap.
Ladies Foothills Parkway Run
Jo will again be leading a Ladies Run across the Foothills parkway. Staging starts at 6:30 PM, right where 129 and Foothills Parkway intersect and will leave promptly at 7:00. This run will be a casual cruise across the foothills and will take around an hour. The route is 33 miles to the far end of the Foothills. Search for “Foothills Parkway Southwest Entrance Sign Parking #1 in your GPS if you’re unfamiliar with the location (maps integration is being a pain).
ND Photo & Meet
Fancy all those nice mods on your ND and want to chat about it with others? Want some sweet pics during the Golden Hour near the top of Fontana Dam? Head over after the raffle to mix it up about all things ND!
Where Shall We Go?
Round three! Drivers meeting at 5:30 pm
Last year this was a blast! We’ve only picked a starting point. Show up and discuss where you’d like to go with the run leader. The possibilities are endless as there are a lot of roads to pick from! Departure as soon as the plan is in place.
This drive quadrupled in size between year one and two so we may have two drive groups this time that may or may not go to the same places or same speeds so as to not have one big group of 60 cars.
Please bring a radio! With charger of course for your vehicle as it improves the experience greatly! And you don’t get separated.
We usually arrive back around dusk or so. It’s part of the fun so come enjoy!
Beer Swap and Wine Tasting
Gather your favorite local adult beverages and share them with the crowd at the annual MATG Beer Swap and Wine Tasting during and after the raffle!
Event will end when everyone finishes.
Miata Regatta
Ahoy, Captains! Tis' the time o' the year to launch the Floatilla! Commodore Dalton invites ye to join the Miata Regatta, a cheerful fleet of boats and their captains and first mates (optional). Ye be meeting at the base of the Fontana Dam at 17:00 on Saturday for fun and shenanigans on the high seas in the most misunderstood of all Miatas! Don't be late, mateys!
Annual Vendor Raffle
The annual raffle starts at 4:00PM and is composed of donated items from our vendors. Raffle tickets are $1 a piece and all proceeds go to our chosen recipient of the year as thanks for showing support for our community and the community we become a part of each year.
Miata History Presented by Norman Garrett!
Come enjoy the story of the Miata as told by automotive engineer Norman Garrett, one of the fathers of the Miata. Get out of the heat for a little while, take a break, and learn something new!
Third Annual Wang Gang Meetup
Got a nice Wang? Come show it off and hangout with the Nine Lives Racing team. There will be itty bitty Wangs given out, cool group photos and lots of Miata love.
Mazdaspeed Meetup
For all you factory turbo loving freaks. Last year’s Mazdaspeed Meet was a blast. Why not continue the tradition? We had one lava orange last year. Let's shoot for at least 2 this year. We'll meet at the base of Fontana Damn at 2pm on Saturday.
NA Meet Up 2026
Calling all NA Miatas! Come hang out with fellow NA Miata enthusiasts and pop up connoisseurs! We’ll be hanging out for a few hours and discussing all things MIATA!!! Come check out the coolest cars at the Gap! Parking lot fills up fast so be early if you want a good spot!!! See you all soon!!!
Annual MATG Group Photo
The annual photo of Miatas at the Gap. The shutter snap is at 11:00 sharp! Make sure that you're there plenty early to get a good spot in the photo. Killboy will have them available on his website for anyone to purchase at great prices.
Vendor Alley - Saturday
Day 2 of the incredible Miatas at the Gap Vendor Alley!
Come visit old favorites and new vendors for all manner of Miata goodies from rare and vintage parts to custom engineered kits and enhancements and everything in between!
See the Vendors Page for a list of this years vendors. And don’t forget to take a trip up to to the Moss Mezzanine for even more!
NC Run: The 4th Edition
Back for year four! Drivers meeting at 7:45 am
For all the NC owners who want to spend a lot of time on curves, this drive is for you. We will meet at the general store beginning by 730 am (or earlier) to line up and take off on this brisk paced ride. We will stop at the Maple Springs Observation Deck at the top of the Chasing The Dragon Hillclimb for those keepsake pictures we treasure. We will be back for the picture.
This drive has grown in size so HIGHLY suggested you have a radio with charger for your car as it improves the experience greatly! And keeps us from getting separated.
Speaking of which, we may have a semi spirited and a moderate pace group just to make it easier to keep the group together better.
Bring great brakes, tires and a radio and you will be good to go!
Balsam Overlook BRP Cruise
This will be a slow speed cruise up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Richland Balsam overlook, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and views of the Smokie mountains on this run.
Imposter meet
Do you like doughnuts and does your OTM (Other Than Miata) identify as one anyways? Swing by the HQ Saturday morning and laugh about trying to keep up with that one car or that other person…
Bonfire
Do you want to chill out and enjoy the sounds of Miatae mixed with nature and recap your amazing day or plan for tomorrow? Come hang out by the fire and relax courtesy of Miatas at the Gap.
Cornhole Tournament
4th MATG Cornhole Tournament Sponsored By Palm Breeze Detailing & Car Care Specialists. Grab your partner and sign up for an evening of fun with all your Miata Friends. $10 a person or $20 a couple, located right in vendor alley Friday evening. If you don’t have a partner we will find you one. Proceeds will benefit Blount County and or Graham County Rescue. Sign up sheets will be located at the registration tent or at the Palm Breeze Detailing Booth. Even if you don’t play, please come on out and pick a team and cheer them on. Bring a chair your beverage and be ready to have some Dragon Slayer Fun with our Miata Enthusiasts with a game of Cornhole!
Lights at the Lake
Lights at the Lake is a relaxed late afternoon and evening automotive
meet open to Miatas, other cars, and motorcycles attending MATG 2026.
The event will include a lighting showcase featuring underglow and LED setups, community socializing, photography opportunities, and a
low-car limbo competition with prizes. The goal is to create a fun and
organized community event focused on positive and respectful car
culture.
This will occur in the overlook parking lot on the other side of Fontana Dam. Please be sure to click the Map link in the Location info to see where this is.
🏆 Trophy Categories (1 Trophy Per Category)
🥇 Best in Show
🥇 Best Lighting
🥇 Lowest Miata
🥇 Lowest Vehicle
Rules: “Best in Show” and “Best Lighting” is decided by online form
vote. Limbo will decide the other 2 categories.
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🎁 Prize Raffle
Every vehicle can enter the raffle for sponsor prizes!
Prizes include:
Spinnywoosh Underglow Kit
Sponsor merchandise
Additional giveaways
(To enter please provide the organizer with your license plate (to ensure 1 entry per car) and phone number or other contact method. You do not have to be present to win (except for the underglow kit you must be present), however it will be up to you to pick up your prize.)
Meotters & Pizza
Did you know that Cheoah means ‘where otters play’? We didn’t until we were organizing an event with our friends at The HQ along the Cheoah River. Come out for pizza and relax along the river with fellow Miatas for a couple of hours!
Blue vs. Yellow Meet
TrackPrep Performance is hosting a little Blue and Yellow miata meet! With an optional spirited Dragon run ending off Calderwood Highway.
Meet at 5.00p; Departure soon after
2000 SE Meetup
Come join us at the base of Fontana Dam for the first meetup for the 2000 SE’s! Meet and chat with other 2000 Special Edition owners. Stay as long or as little as you’d like, but we’d love to all get a photo!
Hotbois in the Heat
Hey all! Scottie (Spinnywoosh) and Dalton wanted to plan a fun meet at the Pitstop gas station at the bottom of the hill. Anyone with liveries, stickers, underglow from Spinnywhoosh or otherwise, come hang out and chat
Fat Buddies BBQ Run
The annual Friday afternoon fun run across Wayah Road for barbecue. Not to be confused with the Spirited runs this is an easy paced ride across one of the great roads in the area. Staging at 3.30 with a 4.00 departure, please let the leaders know how many are planning on eating at the restaurant.
Friday afternoon Spirited Run
Round 3 this year! We will leave by 1:45 pm for a twisty spirited journey through a variety of lesser known roads with much less traffic that will bring much joy.
This adventure evolved last year and this year will be every bit as fun! Numerous stops on the route. Would suggest bringing snacks. (Eating light is key)
I have been asked the past two years if there is a prerequisite. Technically no however, the following is highly suggested for maximum fun and safety:
Great brakes, great tires and great suspension. In that order!
A radio is REQUIRED with a charger so you do not end up with no communication. Very important on some of the roads we visit.
A grand old time will be had by all! See you there.
LADIES MIATA MEET
Boat Ramp / Dock Near Fontana
Dam on Moonshiner 28
Jo, a multi-event veteran, has taken the reins of an organized a meet for fellow female enthusiasts and to take a group picture. After the picture, there will be a drive to a local pineapple whip stand. The picture will take place from 1-1:30 and will leave right after to head for dessert. Meet at the Boat Ramp / Dock on Moonshiner 28 just down the road from the entrance to the Fontana Dam Basin.
NB Spirited Run and Hike
Please join us for a spirited run starting at the Lone Oak Baptist Church, leading us down past Robbinsville onto Wayah Road. We will stop at an overlook off of Wayah to relax and socialize before taking back off to end up at Pines Recreation Area Glenville Dam for a medium level hike to a waterfall. Total driving time is 2.5 hours. Total hiking distance is 1.4 miles with 650 feet of elevation gain on the return trip. Bring comfortable grippy shoes, hats, and water for the hike and maybe bathing suits to take a dip in the water! Max people I can bring is around 25-30.
If you have a radio/walkie-talkie, please bring that to ease communication during the convoy!