Don't Forget About The Upcoming Winterfest Too

Winterfest is a season of the Smoky Mountains that is, for all practical purposes, split into two sections - the Holiday season, and the "quiet" season.

The former is quite obvious - from early November to New Years day, the Smoky Mountains are in full swing celebration mode to bring families closer to the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years spirits (along with everything in between). We have several parades, one for each city in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Dollywood transforms their entire park into a literal Winter wonderland, million-dollar lighting displays are put up throughout the cities, community choral events, holiday theater performances, and so many more special events, it would take years of repeated visits to see them all!

The latter refers to the after-holiday season that begins after the festivities. Naturally, after two months of solid special event planning, the area goes on an unofficial break period until March. Dollywood and the major special events go on hiatus, many of the arts and crafts and several other mainstream businesses around close for the season, and we see a marked reduction in traffic.

While it sounds like there isn't much to do in that part of Winterfest, it's a unique time for a unique atmosphere in the Smokies. We have several occasions throughout the year reserved for reflection, but this is the time it really comes alive. The cold air, the snow-peaked tops in the distance, and the stillness of the environment really create an air of dignity and a simple beauty you almost can't get at any other time. It's a great time to be hiking, planning a honeymoon weekend in Gatlinburg, or even breaking out the snowboard for nearby Ober Gatlinburg's Winter Sports season as well.

At Deer Ridge, we don't take a vacation, we work year-round to provide you with yours. Whether you come to the Smokies for a Christmas or Thanksgiving filled outing for the family, a chance to take advantage of the romantic qualities the Smokies offers in February, a weekend to get in the snowboarding and skiing up at Ober, Deer Ridge will accommodate all your wants and needs. We're just 15-20 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge, and 10 minutes from the newly opened Rocky Top Sports World.

See our discounts and other things we can offer you at www.deerridge.com. Read More!

New Pictures From Rocky Top Sports World

For those who missed the announcement, Rocky Top Sports World is now officially open here in Gatlinburg, TN!

The ribbon-cutting was on September 9th and Deer Ridge was happy to be the home-away-from-home for a U12 Tennessee Soccer Team. The pictures you see in this post are the team in action at Rocky Top Sports World.

Stay tuned with us as we start our favorite tradition of the year - Sunset Festival! We've already been seeing some color change starting on the intimate level of the Smokies (you can't see them from the distance yet, but you can when you're looking at them up close). Nothing of the winning formula has changed, you still get to have awesome, free food courtesy of Deer Ridge (which include some authentic German delectables), entertainment by a long-standing, professional bluegrass group, and the spirit of the mountains will flow over and around you as the sun sets over the Autumn colors of the Smokies.

Bring a good appetite and a good camera, because these are the BEST views of the Smokies at the BEST time to view them!

Reserve today at www.deerridge.com. Read More!

Rocky Top Sports World Labor Day Soccer Tournament

Rocky Top Sports World, the new sports complex just down the road from Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, held its first event - The Labor Day Weekend Soccer Invitational Tournament.  The tournament was held on Friday August 29 and Saturday August 30, 2014.  Deer Ridge had its first bookings from a Rocky Top Sports World event, hosting the TN Soccer Club U12 group.  The kids and the parents were very positive about the resort!  We are going to host members and families of the No Excuse Lacrosse team who will be visiting for a Lacrosse tournament in October.  

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort is working hard to use our close proximity to the new facility to bring in additional business, check out our new website www.rockytopsportsworldlodging.com

Here are some pictures of the soccer players enjoying the new facilities at Rocky Top Sports World:

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2014 Family Reunions at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort

It has been a booming summer for family reunions at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort!  We've been so busy with assisting guests that it has taken me awhile to get to reporting about how great our summer is going.  We are still busy but time allows for a  quick report.  This summer we have had the pleasure of hosting the:

Smith-Gholson Family
Lindsey Family
Burke Family
Yates Family
Baechler Family
Call-Steele Family

for their family reunions.  We get the pleasure of hosting the Valentine Family this week and the Mazanowski Family next week.  Whew!

I haven't even gotten to our military reunions, non family groups, and weddings yet - that post is coming later this week, or maybe next - like I said, we are still very busy here on the Ridge!

Thought you might enjoy seeing one of our groups enjoying their stay at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.  These pictures are courtesy of the Lindsey Family:

 

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August Special Events For 2014

Today is the start of August, but don't get any ideas in your head about the "Summer blues" of going back to school and such - this year the Smokies are packing August with more special events than the month has seen in a long time!

Even today is the start of two of them - the fabled Sales Tax-Free weekend going on until the end of Sunday, August 3rd throughout the entire state of Tennessee, and Celebrate Freedom, of which the entire neighboring city of Pigeon Forge engages in a series of military discounts at businesses and attractions and, later in the month, special events designed to honor current serving and veteran officers of the armed forces.

Here is a list of recommended events going on in August:

8/2/14
Stringtime in the Smokies

8/2/14
Pigeon Forge Midnight 8K Road Race

8/11/14-8/15/14
Kidabra! The International Association of Family & Kid Show Performers Annual Convention

8/21/14-8/24/14
Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival

8/23/14-8/24/14
Smoky Mountain Military and Relic Show

8/23/14
Welcome Home Vietnam Parade

And don't forget, even if Deer Ridge is not in Pigeon Forge, we offer THE best military discount in all of the Tennessee Smokies! See what we can do for your August getaway at www.deerridge.com. Read More!

Deer Ridge Weddings

Here's some pictures from a recent wedding done up here at Deer Ridge!

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4th of July 2014

Fourth of July is this Friday, and we hope you all get to come out and enjoy it with us in the most patriotic part of East Tennessee!

The parade starts on 12:00AM Thursday night, festivities go on throughout the day afterwards in downtown Gatlinburg, and the fireworks themselves start at about 10:00PM on the night of the Fourth. A whole city-wide party worthy of celebrating American independence! www.gatlinburg.com Read More!