On Sept. 6, Burt Reynolds, star of 1977 trucking blockbuster Smokey and the Bandit, passed away at the age of 82. And on Sept. 30, members of the Small Business in Transportation Coalition organized a tribute to the late actor who portrayed a truck driver in the cult classic.
The tribute included a pilgrimage from Texarkana, Tex. to Atlanta, Ga., the pick up and drop off locations from the movie. Smokey and the Bandit is still one of the most famous portrayals of a truck driver on film.
The truckers’ Eastbound and Down 900-plus mile convoy more than 30 vehicles of trucks, motorcycles, passenger vehicles and police escorts.
James Lamb, the coalition’s president said that this salute to Reynolds marked his first visit to Texarkana since hearing about it in the movie, around 40 years ago.
The weekend event included a memorial service for Reynolds with Pastor Scott Sundby, Texarkana, Tex. Mayor Bob Bruggeman and Texarkana, Ark., Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell a Trans am and patrol car similar to Bandit’s and Buford T. Justice’s vehicles in the movie, The Road Hammers concert, comedy show and film festival.
Lamb said at the conclusion of the convoy in Atlanta, “I am taking the day off today here in Atlanta and have me a nice, ice cold Coors beer. Thanks to the driver who brought it, wherever you are. ROLL ON!”
