April is halfway over and there’s still a lot to talk about for this month. As we speak, a new parade is going on today in nearby Pigeon Forge honoring the veterans of the Vietnam War while the Grand Spring Rod Run starts this weekend (from April 19th to the 21st).

On the Gatlinburg side of things, we’ve already started Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales (now until August 10th), the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage begins this time next week (April 23rd-27th) and a brand new outdoor festival at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – the new Gatlinburg Winefest (April 27th).

So if you want an action-packed Spring vacation in the Smokies, come on out before it’s too late! And if you want even MORE on top of that, check out our vacation packages at http://www.deerridge.com/specials.html. Get special events, attraction passes, multiple nights in a luxury condo and the most amazing views in the Smokies all for a great price!

Now that Spring Break has either started or is right around the corner for many students throughout the US, Deer Ridge wants to invite you to extend your vacation time in the Smokies with one of our specials currently going on.

Our “Yearly Special” from our specials page offers a free night stay at any of our condos or cabins here in Cosby, TN, with the purchase of a 3-night stay. That means you get an extra 33% of vacation time at no extra charge – and who wouldn’t want 4 whole days of luxury and relaxation at the top of the world during this hallowed vacation time?

See our condo units at www.deerridge.com and our many onsite amenities!

After a wet winter season where we had snow threatening to fall nearly every weekend from the start of 2013 on, Spring is finally on its way here! The emerald hills, sweet-tasting airs and the special events will all be returning this month and we wanted to offer you a primer on what to expect from the Smokies this month.

Gatlinburg Improv Fest
March 8th – March 9th, 2013

Sweet Fanny Adams, one of the longest-running theaters in town and a model of academic dramatic influence in town, hosts this weekend festival for improvisational comedy enthusiasts in downtown Gatlinburg. Lots of performances and even workshops for developing your own talent further will be expected. See www.gatlinburgimprovfest.com/ for more information.

A Mountain Quiltfest
March 12th – 16th, 2013

The city of Pigeon Forge hosts a very popular festival in which over 20,000 visitors participate in many classes and seminars, and view some of the most gorgeous quilts in the country. More than 60 classes and seminars will be featured and a vendor mall will be onsite for enthusiasts to purchase supplies. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_quiltfest.aspx

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations
March 23th – April 22nd, 2013

Dollywood opens every season with the most exciting Spring festival you’ll find in East Tennessee – the Festival of Nations gathers many of the countries of the world to Dollywood where many cultures will add to the entertainment of the park. Africa, India, China, France, Poland and more will all be there and providing some of the best shows you will see all year! http://www.dollywood.com

Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
March 31st, 2013

The Sunrise Service is a Christian lead Easter service at the top of our
provided. Tram rides start at 5:45 AM in downtown Gatlinburg and are
omplimentary to visitors for this event. http://www.obergatlinburg.com

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
April 5th – August 10th, 2013

Ever wanted the Smokies to be filled with the old timey music and legends
that it used to have way back in the day? Come to Gatlinburg for Smoky
Mountain Tunes and Tales and you can experience Gatlinburg celebrating
Appalachian Culture the way it used to. Music, stories, dancing all
throughout the city on evenings. http://www.gatlinburg.com

As always, keep checking back with us for new special events and new specials at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort! See our website and condos at www.deerridge.com.

We usually make up our specials and discounts for the year in advance, and this year we decided to share that schedule with you!

Take a look below so you can plan accordingly for your Smoky Mountain Vacation!

SPECIALS FOR 2013

“Winter Special”

Valid January 1 – February 28, 2013

Stay 2 or more nights and receive a 25% discount off our regular rates. Offer is valid on any condominium or cabin, subject to availability. Stay must be completed by February 28, 2013. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or package deals.

“Two Nighter” Getaway Special

Valid March 1 – December 19, 2013 (excludes July, October and Major Holiday periods). Stay any 2 nights in any condo or cabin and receive 10% off our regular nightly rates. This offer cannot be combined with other offers of package deals.

“Three Nighter” Long Weekend Special

Valid March 1 – December 19, 2013. Stay any 3 nights in any condo or cabin and receive 15% off our regular nightly rate. This offer cannot be combined with other offers or package deals.

“Year-Round Specials”

Valid January 1 – December 31, 2013

Stay 3 nights and your 4th night is always FREE! Simply put, stay in any condo or cabin for 4 nights and pay for only 3 nights at our regular nightly rate. This unprecedented offering to our guests reaffirms that Deer Ridge not only has the “Best View in the Smokies” but the “Best Value” as well. All nights must be consecutive and cannot be combined with other specials or already discounted packages.

“Weekly Special”

Valid January 1 – December 31, 2013.

Stay a week (7 consecutive nights) and pay for only 5 nights. For those who can stay longer, Deer Ridge Mountain Resort is now offering year-round savings on weekly stays. Stay Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday in any condo or cabin at our regular nightly rate plus taxes and receive 2 FREE nights. All 7 nights must be consecutive and cannot be combined with other specials or packages.

“Military Discount”

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort wishes to show our appreciation to all that have served in our country’s military by offering the largest military discount in the Gatlinburg area. All active and former servicemen and women will receive a 27% discount off our regular nightly rates. This is our small way of saying thank you. This offer cannot be combined with other offers or package deals.

DISCOUNT PROGRAMS FOR 2013

“Past Guest Discount Program”

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort unveils its past guest recognition program. Beginning January 1, 2013, all Deer Ridge past guests will receive an additional 5% discount off any promotion, discount, package or deal that we offer**. Deer Ridge realizes that our business success if dependent upon our past guests returning for future stays and recommending Deer Ridge to their friends and relatives. **Past Guest discount cannot be used in conjunction with our Military Discount, Golf Packages and Members Only Club.

“Value Card Discount Program”

In Deer Ridge Mountain Resort’s effort to recognize and thank our country’s fire fighters, police officers, teachers and small business owners, Deer Ridge Mountain Resort has created a Value Card Program that will offer discounts valid year-round. So, fire chiefs, police captains, school principals or small business owners, call our Value Card coordinator at 865-436-2325 or email us at reserve@deerridge.com. This offer cannot be combined with other offers or package deals.

“Members Only Club”

The Deer Ridge Mountain Resort “Members Only Club” is an exclusive group of past guests who have agreed to pay a one-time membership fee and purchase their vacation time in advance in increments of two, three, or four weeks at huge savings. Vacation days can be used a minimum 2 nights at a time. VIP benefits are extended to our Members that are not offered to the general public.

“Group Discount Program” (4 or more condos or cabins)

Deer Ridge specializes in hosting Family Reunions, Golf Groups, Church Groups, Class Reunions, Car and Motorcycle clubs, Couple Retreats, Corporate Meetings and Retreats and Adventure Escapes. Our group sales staff can assist you in planning you event and can recommend caterers, group discount tickets to local attractions, meeting and gathering space and event souvenirs.

Group leaders should ask about our “Best Deal Dates“. “Best Deal Dates” are times of the year when our Group Sales Department can offer your group the largest discounts.

Group Inquiries and request for quotes should be directed to our Group Sales Manager at 877-333-7743 or email groupsales@deerridge.com or reserve@deerridge.com.

“Future Booking Incentive”

In 2013 Deer Ridge has introduced an incentive program that rewards guests who book a future stay prior to departure. This new program will ensure that you’ll stay in the condo or cabin of your choice, will reduce your deposit requirement to hold your condo or cabin, and you will receive an in-house credit (amount based on length of stay) and will be allowed early check-in and late departure.

And please see our accommodations at www.deerridge.com.

Greetings from Deer Ridge! We had an unexpected visitor show up at the Sevierville Golf Club and we wanted to share it with you.

Yes, that IS an American Bald Eagle. You don’t see one of those every day!

Just another reason to come out and play a set of 18 at the Sevierville Golf Club! If you’re a fan of the greens, check out our golf packages which can be applied to Bent Creek or Sevierville Golf Club at www.deerridge.com/golf_packages.html

Picture by Joe Thomas, General Manager at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.

Tonight in Gatlinburg is Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ, one of Gatlinburg’s most popular and most anticipated events on the calendar.

From 5PM to 9PM, an entire THIRD of the main road in downtown Gatlinburg has to be shut down for all the vendors and entertainment expected to deliver on their promises of the best meat and the best night you’ve ever had in East Tennessee. They’ve been right for 10 years in a row, so you know you’re going to have fun!

Come stay with us at Deer Ridge tonight and you can add luxury to a vacation filled with the best meat and entertainment in the Smokies. See our resort at www.deerridge.com.

We wanted to share with you a completed survey one of our recent visitors left with us.

The Management and Staff of Deer Ridge Mountain Resort are very interested in your opinion and comments.
Please make the following choices that best describe your impression of your stay.

Number: 201553
Name: KIM LANE
Unit: E206
Stay: 3-24-2012 dpt 3-28-2012

1. Our reservation process?
Excellent

2. Our website?
Excellent

3. Our check-in/check-out process?
Excellent

4. First impresson of our property?
Excellent

5. The appearance of the lobby area?
Excellent

6. The cleanliness of your condo or cabin?
Excellent

7. The comfort of your condo or cabin?
Excellent

8. The helpfulness of the staff?
Excellent

9. Condition of the swimming pool and game room area?
Excellent

10. Price/Value of your stay with us?
Excellent

11. Your overall stay at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort?
Excellent

12. Would you return to Deer Ridge Mountain Resort?
Excellent

Comments:
My husband and I just returned home from our stay at Deer Ridge. The first time we drove up the mountain to the resort and saw the sign “The Best View of the Smokies” we had no idea how true that would be! The view from our room was the most spectaculiar view we have ever seen! I could have sat on the balcony the whole time we where there! We also played golf at Bent Creek every morning of our stay. Bent Creek is the nicest golf course we have played! Although we where there in the spring and the course was very wet, we still loved it and can only image how wonderful this course would be in the summer! We decided on our way home we will be back to stay with you again and to play golf again, next time we want to come a different time of year to see the beautiful mountains in summer or maybe fall!! Alot of people told us how beautiful the mountains are with all the fall colors. We can’t wait to come back again! Thank you for advertising exactly what we got, The perfect Mountain vacation!!!!!! We will see you soon, Kim and Al

Now is the time to get together with family and friends and shake off those winter blues.  There is no better way to do this than a trip to Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Deer Ridge Mountain Resort – the home of “The Best Views in the Smokies”.  Whether you want to enjoy the greenery of the mountains, or the greens of the adjacent Bent Creek Golf Course, we are your Spring Break headquarters for good times in Gatlinburg!  Check out the following Spring Break Specials that make your choice of resort so much easier to make:

Guests who stayed at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort this past month enjoyed our annual Octoberfest celebrations, held every Saturday afternoon in October.  Food and live bluegrass music from the band Hurricane Ridge at no charge for guests,  plus the best autumn color season that we’ve had in years, combined to make 2011 Octoberfest a standout memory in our guest’s Smoky Mountain vacation experience.  Here’s a look at the fun we had:

 Make plans to attend now!