Dolly's Homecoming Parade and more May Special Events!

May is a less hectic month for the Smokies, and, surprisingly, some dismiss the month entirely as "not much to do" or as just a bridge between Springfest and the start of summer. While it's true that there aren't as many high-profile activities in May as April and June, anyone who skips out on May is simply going to lose out - and we'll show you why:

May 5th is Gatlinburg's 2nd annual Cinco De Mayo celebration at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. A small $5 armband will give you access to some of the best Latin and Mexican food the area has to offer from Loco Burro and more. There will be fun stuff for the kids, a live Mariachi band, and Chihuahua parade and, of course, more! You can see more on that at www.gatlinburg.com.

And then, on May 11th, we will be welcoming back Sevier County's favorite daughter - Miss Dolly Parton herself for the 27th Annual Dolly's Homecoming Parade. This is a big event for the city of Pigeon Forge and local businesses, so you will see some highly creative and expressive floats going down the main parkway, followed by the Grand Marshall herself, Dolly Parton. Parade starts at 6:00PM starting at Stoplight #3. www.mypigeonforge.com.

After that, on May 12th is the Shriners' Funfest Parade, which a lot of people enjoy to help benefit their organization. The Dollywood Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival has been moved up from September to late summer this year (from May 26th to June 10th) and all your favorite Bluegrass artists will be performing alongside the best Southern-style meats you'll ever have. In fact, this will be the 2nd time visitors to the Smokies would have the opportunity to indulge on BBQ and Bluegrass, since May 19th and the 20th is the Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass Festival in Downtown Sevierville. You can see more on that at http://bloominbbq.com.

So that is three paragraphs of entertainment in May. Who says nothing's going then? Make your reservations with www.highlandscondos.com and add luxury to your entertainment this season, that season, any season of the year!

Ribsfest 2012

Wow, have we got a great week going on here in the Smokies! If you're coming in today, you're in great luck! The Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ, one of Gatlinburg's best loved annual events, is going on today from 5PM to 9PM. Visitors with Highlands won't have to go too far to enjoy it as the city of Gatlinburg has to shut down an entire THIRD of the main downtown area to accommodate all the visitors, vendors, entertainers and more.

And then we're already in the middle of the 62nd Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage too! This is the keystone event of Springfest and it's offering over 150 programs for Smoky Mountain enthusiasts like Guided Hikes, Guest Lectures, Demonstrations and much more! If you crave the nature of the mountains, do not miss the Wildflower Pilgrimage! Get more information on that at www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.

If you're coming to the mountains to get the most out of Springfest - hurry up! It's going on right now. Come stay with us and you won't be far from the action in Gatlinburg - ever. See what we can offer you at www.highlandscondos.com.

Springfest 2012

Now we're in the thick of Springfest in the Smokies, and we couldn't be happier! The Great Smoky Mountains are in FULL bloom, with wildly colorful flowers covering nearly every inch of the forests around here, coincide spectacularly with the mild and sunny weather and the additional "bloom" of the new activities coming back to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

First and foremost, Dollywood is open again and opening up with Festival of the Nations. If you've never done Festival of the Nations, you don't know what you're missing. Take the already incredibly entertaining theme park, with a brand new and hotly anticipated Wild Eagle rollercoaster, and add multi-cultured shows and vendors all throughout the park.

If you'd like to get discount tickets in addition to your stay with us here at Deer Ridge, contact us at www.highlandscondos.com.

Second, we have a whole range of additional special events coming up in Gatlinburg that you won't want to miss! Take a look:

Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show
4/4/12-4/7/12

Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center/W.L. Mills Auditorium. Perfect Easter Time outing with the family. www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=30

Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
4/8/12

Ober Gatlinburg continues its tradition of offering a free breakfast buffet and a sunrise Easter service at their facilities at the top of the mountain. Tram service starts at 5:15AM and the breakfast buffet at 6:00AM. www.obergatlinburg.com

62nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
4/25/2012-4/29/2012

Celebrate and enjoy the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations and classroom lectures centered on the flowers, plants and wildlife in the great outdoors. For more information, call (865) 436-7318 ext. 22 or visit www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. ($)

Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ

4/26/2012

The mountain of ribs and wings blend nicely against the Smoky Mountains as Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ starts again at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. The price of admission buys you all the ribs and wings you can eat plus entertainment, vendors and an Ice Cream Eating contest just to name a few. www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=27.


April is going to be a full month for the Smokies and you don't want to miss a minute of it! Come visit us at www.highlandscondos.com.

Early Spring Preview

One look outside and you might mistake it for April, it's only now starting to be March and we're being blessed with an early Spring here in the Smokies.

If you're looking to get in a Springtime visit without much of the usual Springtime traffic, this is the time to come! The emerald glow of the mountains are returning and with them the rhododendrons, the dogwood trees and just about every color of the rainbow on nearly every inch of Sevier County. Soon after, the special events will come with it.

Highlands Condos is perfect for a Springtime getaway - the elevation and the mild temperatures combine from our vantage point to make relaxing over the balcony a truly luxurious experience - not to mention what we offer from our pool, exercise equipment and sauna. You might even see a black bear or two!

Make your reservations today at www.highlandscondos.com and enjoy one of the best Springtime vacations you've ever had.

Here's a list of upcoming events. Be sure to mark your itineraries and plan accordingly.

The 18th Annual "A Mountain Quiltfest"
3/14/12-3/17/12

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. www.mountainquiltfest.com

ClausFest Parade
3/17/12

Gatlinburg's Spring Parade is back on for 2012. The Clausfest parade features, get ready for this, all your favorite Christmas and St. Patrick's Day icons marching together in a grand fashion down the main street of downtown Gatlinburg. It's a sight worth coming to see. www.clausfest.org

Dollywood "Festival Of the Nations"
3/24/12-4/30/12

Dollywood opens it's gates once again to the tune of world music as Festival of the Nations returns to captivate visitors to the Smokies. Groups from Ireland, South America, Africa, Germany and more will be coming and coming back to entertain us here in the Smokies. www.dollywood.com

Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show
4/5/12-4/7/12

Imagine if the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, with dozens of other independent artists and artisans from whole states away gathered in one huge building in downtown Gatlinburg and you have the setting for the Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. www.gatlinburgcrafts.com.

Highlights for February 2012

What a beautiful winter it has been, if winter it can be called. Even by the Smoky Mountains standards, this Winterfest season has produced unusually mild weather and days so sunny and warm, you'd think it was April.

With the weather and Valentine's Day to look forward to, the Smokies are offering quite a bit for visitors looking for a romantic getaway and Highlands Condos has everything you need to make that getaway memorable for years to come. Imagine coming to a beautiful one-bedroom condo, overlooking miles and miles of the Smokies, to a gift basket from In Cabin Services, a fireplace to curl up next to at night, and a couple glasses of wine to sip on the balcony at the top of the world looking down. Can it get better than that?


Yes it can - we're offering a special for a massage/facial here at Highlands for $160.00. Take advantage of this offer for your getaway and really enjoy yourself for your Smoky Mountain Romantic Vacation. Call (865) 908-2530 to reserve this special offer and see more at www.highlandscondos.com

New Years and January 2012

The New Year starts with a 15-minute long bang in the Smokies and offers plenty of great entertainment and activity for Winterfest long after the holidays are over.

Gatlinburg is, naturally, the center of the biggest party in the Great Smoky Mountains during New Years Eve. The Pyro-shows production company will be playing music from the center of town until the countdown starts. Once the ball drops from the Space Needle to ring in the New Year, the tower will explode in a prolonged and incredible fireworks display the likes of which you won't see for another year! Only Gatlinburg offers something that grand here in the Smokies.

Following shortly after that is another major treat for visitors to the mountains with the ever-popular Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge. This is a week-long treat, from January 7th to the 14th for nature lovers as it promises plenty of lectures, presentations, guest speakers, a gorgeous photographic exhibit, vendor with nature supplies and much more! You can see more of that at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest_wilderness.aspx.



The new year is already shaping up to be a great start for 2012 and we at Highlands want to invite you all out for the fun and excitement each new year in the Smokies brings. See what we have to offer at www.highlandscondos.com.

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade 2011

One of Gatlinburg's greatest traditions and Winterfest treasures is going on this Friday, December 2nd, at 7:30PM in downtown Gatlinburg - the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade!

Without a doubt THE Christmas highlight of Gatlinburg's Winterfest celebration, the parade is a huge, grand exhibition of all things Winterfest here in the Smokies. All your favorite Christmas characters, heroes and icons, both new and old, will be prominent down the road from Highway 321 to Stoplight #10. The lights, the music and the Polar Express train itself, along with dozens and dozens of other floats, make for more than an hour's worth of entertainment.

And to really sweeten the Christmas cake there, choose our Fall - 4 Night Special going on for two weekends worth of Winterfest fun at a deal you can't beat. Check it out at www.highlandscondos.com