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Summer Fun at a Discount

Employee discounts give Duke families a break on summer activities

Vivian Grosshans, daughter of Duke employee Phil Grosshans, enjoys playtime at the NC Zoo

Now is the time for Duke employees to schedule summer fun at a discount. The PERQs program entitles employees and their families to discounts on all kinds of entertainment and vacation destinations from Durham Bulls baseball and North Carolina Symphony pops concerts, to the Biltmore Estate and the North Carolina Zoo.

There's something for every interest. A long list of participating theme parks includes Emerald Pointe, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Six Flags over Georgia, Busch Gardens, Sea World and Universal Studios.

The American Dance Festival offers discounted admission on tickets purchased the same day as the performance.

Tennis? The RBC Center offers lowered admission to special events such as the McEnroe vs. Sampras match-up in July.

Summer blockbuster movies? Local theaters from the Streets at Southpoint to the new Phoenix Theater at Northgate Mall sell discounted advance tickets that are good for up to one year.

Car racing? PERQs can get Duke employees and family members discounts for the Orange County Speedway.

Duke employees say the discounts make a difference for their families' entertainment budget. "I've used the North Carolina Zoo discount in the past and plan on using it again this summer," says Phillip Grosshans, assistant director in the Office of Research Support.

"I'm always happy for the buck or two I save. Individually, it's not much, but it adds up as I use them over the course of the year. The North Carolina Zoo can be a bit expensive for two adults and two kids, and we go at least twice a year. I think of it as a free couple of bags of popcorn for my two girls.

"My relatives always like to go the Biltmore Estate. I've gone twice [with the discounts], and it was nice to save a few dollars there," Grosshans adds.

By taking advantage of PERQs discounts year round, Grosshans said he also saves on local goods and services.

"A few years ago, we were doing some redecorating and found the discount at Frame Warehouse useful when getting some prints framed. The car service place I go, Tire King, offers 10 percent off labor. Again, it's not a big discount, but it adds up."

"With two kids and one income, the restaurant discounts are a nice way to stretch the dollars," adds Grosshans, who has taken advantage of discounts at Subway, Burger King, the Pizza Palace and Honey's.

For a complete list of participating businesses, click here.