10 Summer Bucket List Ideas

PEKIN, Ill., – Who says summer bucket lists are just for kids? Although our 10 summer bucket list ideas can definitely include children, they’re also perfect for any adult looking to be a little adventurous this summer. Don’t let the good weather pass you by! Take advantage of the upcoming summer months! Can you check everything off of our list before fall rolls around?

1. Take a road trip

Taking a road trip doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. It doesn’t call for much planning either! Grab a friend, pack some snacks, fill up your tank, and just drive! You might be surprised at the fun things you find on your little adventure! If you’re the type of person who needs to have a plan, head to Chicago with our 5 fun Chicago destinations. Chicago is less than 3 hours from Pekin! If that’s too far, Champaign is just a little over an hour drive!

2. Go camping in the backyard

Camping is great summer bucket list item because you can make it as big of a deal as you want! Setting up a tent in the backyard with the kids can be just as much fun as planning a camping trip over a long weekend. Not only are you within close range of running water, running inside is easy in the case of inclement weather! You can still do all the fun camping things like roasting marshmallows over the fire pit and sleeping on air mattresses in sleeping bags, all while being a few steps from indoor bathrooms!

3. Try something new

Summertime presents a great opportunity to try new things! What is something you’ve always wanted to do but never actually done before? Have you ever gone paddle boarding or kayaking? What about hiking or rock climbing? Make a commitment to yourself this summer to try something new and exciting! It could be something as small as trying a new food or recipe! Step out of your comfort zone!

4. Cook a meal from farmers market ingredients

This summer, the Pekin Farmers Market will be held every Thursday through September 3rd from 4-6pm. A great meal to prepare from farmers market ingredients would be a fresh omelet! You can find farm fresh eggs, veggies and cheese to cook a delicious breakfast, all while supporting your local farmers!

5. Attend an outdoor concert

Live music is always a great time, but take advantage of the good weather and go to an outdoor show! Whether it’s a big name artist or a small local band, you’re sure to have a great time listening to some music under the sun or the stars!

6. Read a new book

Make yourself a list of books you’ve been dying to read. Maybe they’re the classics you never got to or an author a friend recommended. Whatever the case, summer is a great time to catch up on the reading you’ve been falling behind on.

7. Plan a picnic

Whether it’s you and a friend, you and your kids, or you and your significant other, who doesn’t love a good a picnic? Pack up a lunch and blanket and take it to your favorite beach or other outdoor area! If the weather isn’t looking so great, you can always try an indoor picnic on the living room floor!

8. Tie Dye

Do you have some old dingy white clothes lying around? Run to the local craft store and pick up a tie dye kit! Turn your unwanted clothes into works of art. You could also try tie dying old white shoes or sheets! Tie dye is a great outdoor activity for kids and adults!

9. Start a garden

Have you always wanted to start a garden in your backyard? Summer is the perfect time! If you don’t have space in your yard for a garden, you could try this fun DIY window box garden! Plant fruits, veggies, herbs, or flowers! Watching something grow is always rewarding!

10. Watch fireworks

Summer is pretty much the only time to catch a fireworks show. Fourth of July will be here before you know it, so make sure you plan to head to a fireworks display. If you’re bringing the kids along, sparklers are always a fun activity! Just be sure to review safety with them and make sure sparklers are allowed if you’re in a public park.

Summer is the best time to check off some bucket list items! Can you complete all of our 10 summer bucket list ideas? Did we miss anything? Let us know! If you’re planning any road trips this summer be sure your vehicle is running smoothly! Check out our Summer Car Care pages to find tips and tricks on keeping your cooling and A/C system, fuel system, and exterior lights in working order. You can also look at our cosmetic repairs page for more info on fixing your dings and dents, and our sun protection page for tips on how to protect your car from the sun this summer!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin

PEKIN, Ill., – Summer has arrived in Illinois and we know what that means! Time to hit the road for those summer travel plans. With that in mind, we’ve put together our new Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin pages. We know you might get lost in the excitement of summer vacation, but don’t forget to keep your vehicle up to date on its maintenance. In our new pages we’ve outlined some of the basic maintenance you should keep up with on your car during the summer season, including your cooling and A/C systems, cosmetic damage fixes, exterior lights, fuel system, and sun protection. If you’re planning any trips this summer, it’s crucial to keep your car ready to travel! We want to make sure you and your passengers reach your destination safely and comfortably. Check out the pages below:

Cooling and A/C Systems: Here we go over the importance of your cooling and A/C systems in your car. We outline some warning signs to look for that could mean your cooling or A/C systems aren’t working properly. The cooling system keeps your engine from overheating and the A/C system keeps you cool on the road. Don’t get stuck in the hot weather due to unchecked cooling or A/C systems.

Cosmetic Damage: On this page we talk about why it’s easiest to fix cosmetic damages during the summer. We run through some common cosmetic fixes that need to be made and why it’s important to the life of your vehicle to have them fixed. Many cosmetic damages can cause rust, which greatly decreases the value of your car. Save yourself precious time and money by fixing cosmetic damages as soon as you can.

Exterior Lights: Here we go over the different types of exterior lights that are found on your vehicle and why you need to keep them in good working condition. Light maintenance often gets overlooked when it comes to routine car care, but exterior lights play a huge role in keeping you safe on the road. We discuss different types of headlights and how you can change them yourself at home, as well as an easy way to make sure your exterior lights are working properly.

Fuel System: On this page we go over what your fuel system does for your car and the different components that make it up. We discuss some warning signs that may mean your fuel system is working inefficiently and why it’s important to maintain your fuel system in your vehicle. Gasoline is the main source of power in your vehicle. If the fuel system isn’t working properly you could be causing expensive damage to your vehicle. If you notice the warning signs we mention, don’t wait to have your fuel system serviced.

Sun Protection: On the Sun Protection page, we talk about some tips and tricks for protecting your car from the harmful UV rays of the sun. We go over the different types of damage that can be cause by the sun and how you can prevent them from occurring.

After you’ve read all the pages on Summer Car Care at Velde Ford Pekin, we hope you have a better understanding of the importance of maintaining your car in the summer. We’d love to help you with your cooling or A/C system, cosmetic damages, exterior lights, fuel system, or sun protection to get your vehicle ready for those summer adventures. Make sure to give us a call at (888) 221-2804 or make an appointment with our service center online. If you have any other service or maintenance questions, you can always check the FAQ section of our website.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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