Tax-Free Weekend 2017

Next weekend, from July 28th to the 30th, is the coveting Tax-Free Weekend in the state of Tennessee. Although this event isn't exclusive only to the Smokies, it becomes a special event as many families use this as an opportunity to get school supplies from our outlet malls and have one last family vacation in the Smokies before the school season begins anew.

Between the two dates, shoppers can expect to take off any sales tax on school supplies adding up to less than $100.00, school clothes adding up to less than $100.00 and computer purchases of up to $1,500. Some of the best places for shopping for these items include:

* Tanger Five Oaks Outlet in Sevierville
* Red Roof Mall in Pigeon Forge
* WalMart Supercenter in Sevierville
* Governor's Crossing Complex (Across from WalMart) in Sevierville
* The Shops of Pigeon Forge
* Burke's Outlet in Pigeon Forge

See more information on the Tax-Free weekend at https://www.tn.gov/revenue/article/sales-tax-holiday.

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Summer Eclipse In The Smokies

Ooh, have we got some news for you! This coming August 21st for 2017, East Tennessee will get to see a partial solar eclipse taking place between 1:00PM and 4:00PM.

The National Park Service website writes:

"The entire western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will fall under the path of totality for the eclipse, providing opportunities for viewing, weather permitting. The park is currently planning organized public viewing events at three locations in the park: Clingmans Dome; Cades Cove; and Oconaluftee."

"Visitors may view the eclipse from other areas of the park on your own, though due to the influx of eclipse viewers during the already-busy season, the Park Service may need to close certain areas on August 21st to reduce gridlock, which may include Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove.

Furthermore, our educational partner, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, is planning a special multi-day Science Camp for high school aged students over the eclipse weekend and event."

You can see more information from the National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/2017-solar-eclipse.htm.

You can also build a simple card projector using these instructions from timeanddate.com:

"DIY: Simple Card Projector
The simplest and quickest way to safely project the Sun is with a projector made from only 2 pieces of card or paper.

You Need:
* 2 pieces of stiff white cardboard, e.g. 2 paper plates
alternatively, 2 sheets of plain white paper
* a thumbtack, a sharp pin or a needle.

What to Do:
Diagram of a DIY pinhole projector.
The concept of a pinhole projector ©timeanddate.com

To make a quick version of the pinhole projector, take a sheet of paper and make a tiny hole in the middle of it using a pin or a thumbtack. Make sure that the hole is round and smooth.

With your back towards the Sun, hold 1 piece of paper above your shoulder allowing the Sun to shine on the paper.

The 2nd sheet of paper will act as a screen. Hold it at a distance, and you will see an inverted image of the Sun projected on the paper screen through the pinhole.

To make the image of the Sun larger, hold the screen paper further away from the paper with the pinhole.

A box projector works on the same principles, it requires a little more time and a few extra items to construct, but it is more sturdy.

Keep Safe! Never look at the Sun directly without protective eye gear. Even sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from the damage the Sun's rays can do to them."

And we also suspect you may be able to see them from our Deer Ridge complex in Cobbly Nob between Gatlinburg and Cosby, TN. We do have the BEST views of the Smokies after all, would it not logically follow we can have the best views of the eclipse too?

Only one way to find out: reserve with us today at www.deerridge.com!

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So Much Going On At Deer Ridge!

Not only do we have the Mother's Day Special above coming up soon at Deer Ridge, but we have much more to showcase too! Take a look:

New Weekend Breakfast at the Lounge
Beginning April 8, 2017, every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:00AM to 10:00AM in our lounge area, Deer Ridge will be offering "the Best Blueberry Muffins" in town to our guests. These wonderful Blueberry Muffins, along with either cold milk or hot coffee, will be complimentary to all registered guest.

Muffins are made fresh daily and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Come join us for our new weekend breakfast at the lounge!

New Merchandise in the Lounge
We're happy to announce we have new Deer Ridge logo merchandise available in our lobby area.
* New Deer Ridge Men's Polo Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Men's Rugby Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Women's Tee Shirts
Come see our new line of merchandise.

Memorial Day Corn Hole Tournament
Deer Ridge will be hosting its 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament for all registered guest on Saturday May 27, 2017. No entry fee, just sign up when you arrive. We are looking for teams of two to compete against other guest teams with a chance of winning a return trip to Deer Ridge for 3 nights and 4 days. Corn Hole tournament rules will apply.

Following the tournament, Deer Ridge will be grilling up $1.00 hot dogs and $2.00 hamburgers for all guests. Tournament players eat for free. The tournament will start at 9:00AM with the final room around noon. Lunch will begin at 11:30AM.

Reserve at www.deerridge.com for any of these and more! Read More!

Last Weekend For Festival of Nations!

Howdy folks. As the topic title says, this is the last weekend Dollywood's 2017 Festival of Nations is going on. On April 10th, it will be done for the year and "Spring Break At Dollywood" will begin immediately after.

If you're staying with us this weekend and would like to see the festival before it leaves for the year, remember we sell Dollywood tickets at our front desk (as well as many others). Take advantage of this and enjoy the multi-cultural thrills in Pigeon Forge!

Here are some photos of this year's Festival of Nations, courtesy and copyright of Ge'ne Kea-Lawhead.

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Spring News From Deer Ridge

We're going full force in offering the best Smoky Mountain vacation you can find in the Spring time. Let's dive right in for all the new things we're offering in the coming months of April and May:
New Special Break Special:
From April 7th to April 23rd for 2017, you can get 25% off any condo or cabin rental if you rent two or more nights.

Reserve this special by going to www.deerridge.com or by calling 877-333-7743.

New Weekend Breakfast at The Lounge:
Beginning April 8, 2017, every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:00AM to 10:00AM in our lounge area, Deer Ridge will be offering "the Best Blueberry Muffins" in town to our guests. These wonderful Blueberry Muffins, along with either cold milk or hot coffee, will be complimentary to all registered guest.

Muffins are made fresh daily and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Come join us for our new weekend breakfast at the lounge!

Mother's Day Package:
Is there any more special a concentrated holiday than Mother's Day? Show that good woman you love her by spending Mother's Day with us at Deer Ridge where have a Sunrise Bucket food combination available. The Sunrise Bucket offers coffee service and light breakfast items you and Mom are sure to love.

Prices start at $249.00 plus tax and is valid between May 12th to the 14th. This will buy you the best Mother's Day Getaway Package ever. This package includes a two night stay at Deer Ridge in a 1 bedroom, 1 bath fully equipped condo, a Mother's Day Welcome Bucket and a $50.00 dinner certificate.

Memorial Day Corn Hole Tournament:
Deer Ridge will be hosting its 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament for all registered guest on Saturday May 27, 2017. No entry fee, just sign up when you arrive. We are looking for teams of two to compete against other guest teams with a chance of winning a return trip to Deer Ridge for 3 nights and 4 days. Corn Hole tournament rules will apply.

Following the tournament, Deer Ridge will be grilling up $1.00 hot dogs and $2.00 hamburgers for all guests. Tournament players eat for free. The tournament will start at 9:00AM with the final room around noon. Lunch will begin at 11:30AM.

New Merchandise in the Lounge:

We're also happy to announce we have new merchandise available in our fabulous lounge area at the main office:

* New Deer Ridge Men's Polo Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Men's Rugby Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Women's Shirts

Come see what we've literally got in store for you! www.deerridge.com.

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Romance At Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

Our visitors will be looking towards the next weekend and February 14th for romance in the Smokies and Deer Ridge would like to be your nesting ground for Valentine's love in Gatlinburg.

We currently have condos and cabin units available for rent and we can offer the following specials:

Valentine's Special:
* 2 Nights In A One-Bedroom Condo *
* Welcome Bucket *
* $50 Dinner Certificate *
* Best View in the Smokies *
* Two Bundles of Firewood and 1 Bundle of Kindling *

This package starts at $259.00 (plus tax and fees). Additional nights can also be purchased through our reservation system.

Couple's Golf Package:
$86.00 per golfer, per night plus taxes and fees

Peak Season April 1st thru October 31st
2 night minimum, 2 golfers per 1 BR condo
Golf at Bent Creek Only
Couples Special includes Breakfast.

Reserve either of these today by visiting www.deeerridge.com.

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Celebrate New Years Eve in Gatlinburg!

After a wild year with many ups and downs, we are soon to commit 2016 to history and transform it as 2017 - and one of the best ways to do that here in the Smokies is to enjoy the festivities on December 31st in downtown Gatlinburg not far from us!

Downtown Gatlinburg on the 31st will be bustling with activity and positivity throughout the day in anticipation for the party to come. As the night comes on, more entertainment comes out from the many establishments surrounding the Space Needle. Then at 10:00PM, live entertainment will begin near Stoplight #8, which is Airport Road and where Bubba Gump is located at. It will definitely keep the energy electric as it gets closer to the magic hour.

Then, just before it turns midnight, the ball begins to drop from the top of the Space Needle and once it turns Midnight, January 1st, 2017, we celebrate the first 15-20 minutes of the year with fireworks that light up the night sky, shot from the tower itself. It's an amazing sight.

You can see more on this at www.gatlinburg.com. We hope we get to see you in 2017!

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