It's been 35 years since "Smokey and the Bandit" tore across the South on a bootlegging mission. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field were the lead roles, but it was the Pontiac Trans Am that stole the show.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the hit film, hundreds of people are taking part in a Bandit Run that kicked off in Texarkana.

After a weekend of food, music and of course cars, between 100 and 200 Trans Ams and other assorted muscle cars left downtown Texarkana with an Eastbound & Down bearing.

In 1977, the Bandit, Snowman, and Frog outran Sheriff Buford T. Justice across the Southeast in a Trans Am and a tractor trailer full of Coors Beer.

Just like the lyrics in Jerry Reed's soundtrack song in the film, the pick-up location was Texarkana and the final destination was Atlanta. Even though the film was not actually shot here, this is the second time the Bandit Run has sped off from Texarkana.

The event started in 2007 in Texarkana with just a dozen or two Trans Ams. It's grown into an annual event and favorite among participants.

Richard Rodriguez drove all the way from Sarasota, Florida, to take part.

"You know it started out like a bunch of Trans Am fans getting together to respect to the movie," Rodriguez said. "Now it's grown every year and I wouldn't give it up for any amount of money in the world."

The last four Bandit Runs have launched from other locations to shake things up.

The 2012 Bandit Run will take the same route as the 2007 event:
Texarkana, AR
Lafayette, LA
Biloxi, MS
Birmingham, AL
Braselton, GA