The Ease of Buying from Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Purchasing a new, Certified Pre-Owned, or used vehicle is a fun, but time-consuming process. Whether you're purchasing online or in-store, this step-by-step process can oftentimes be complicated and confusing. With the ease of buying from Velde Ford, you'll be able to get behind the wheel of any vehicle in our lot with our quick and easy service! Our online and offline resources can make all the difference when it comes to purchasing a vehicle, and we're more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Take a look at how easy it is to purchase a vehicle at Velde Ford!

Specify Your Search

Sometimes, the sheer number of vehicles available can be overwhelming. At Velde Ford, we have specific filters to help you search and find the exact make, model, and style of vehicle you're looking for! Our new and used vehicle inventories allow you to refine your search to help ease your shopping process. Plus, our vehicles on the lot are organized so you'll be able to navigate through categories, prices, and styles with ease!

Find Exactly What You're Looking For

On the other hand, if you know exactly what you're looking for, you can track down the exact make, model, and color of vehicle you need! You'll be able to find any out-of-production, specific color, or specific trim levels of vehicles you're looking for. Locate new, used, certified pre-owned, or Special Edition vehicles on our Find Me This Vehicle form. We'll contact you as soon as we can find what you're looking for. You won't have to worry about having to shop around!

Multiple Price Plans

At Velde Ford Pekin, you can save big on a new or used vehicle with Plan Pricing! Depending on your family background or employment, you or your family could be eligible for A, X, Z, or D pricing plans. These Ford-approved discounts, coupled with our financing options, can help you find and purchase a new vehicle at an affordable rate! Take a look at our plan pricing page to find out if you are eligible for any of these exclusive Ford discounts.

Receive a Great Interest Rate

If you're interested in receiving an auto loan, you can apply online today to get pre-approved before you even walk through the doors of our Pekin dealership! Our educated and helpful Finance Team will go above and beyond to ensure you receive the best possible interest rate we can provide you. After you fill out your pre-approval loan, factors like your credit rating, length of your loan, and your vehicle purchase will all be put into consideration before you receive your great interest rate. Bring it in your pre-approval afterwards to save yourself time at the dealership!

Experience the Ford Owner Advantage

The Ford Owner Advantage is an exclusive program available to Ford vehicle owners to thank them for their business! Every driver in a Ford owner's household, regardless of the make or model of their vehicle, is eligible to receive rewards based on their driving. They can receive discounts on oil changes, exclusive rebates, 5% credit on all parts on services that can be applied at a later date, and much more! To learn about the benefits of the Ford Owner Advantage program, visit our Ford Owner Advantage page to find out the in's and out's of this exclusive program!

Purchasing a new or used vehicle from Velde Ford is an easy, fun, and enjoyable process! Experience the ease of buying from Velde Ford if you're in the market to purchase a new vehicle. Stop by our dealership in Pekin to test drive any vehicle of your choice! Take a look at our vast vehicle inventory to find the perfect car, SUV, truck, or crossover for your needs. You can view specifications, reviews, vehicle details, and much more on our model overview page, which lays out each and every one of Ford's newest models available to you today!

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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Collision Services Offered At Velde Ford

PEKIN, Ill.,–– In the event of an accident, getting your vehicle in for repairs and scheduling an appointment for service can seem like a daunting task. That's why we at Velde Ford are here to help! We understand how stressful car accidents can be, and our goal is to make the entire process as stress-free as we can. We prioritize simple, efficient, and quick service for each and every of our customers as if they were our own family! Take a look at the collision services offered at Velde Ford to find out how we can help you get your vehicle looked at and fixed today!

Collision Center & Body Shop Services at Velde Ford

Our Collision Center at Velde Ford serves all make and models, and is fully staffed with an experienced team and state-of-the-art tools to service any kind of vehicle! Our direct repair facility allows you to get your vehicle serviced and your insurance taken care of, all at our Collision Center! If your vehicle requires repair over a long time and you need to get back on the road, we offer rental vehicles so you'll be able to continue your day while we work on your vehicle. From estimates to auto paint touch-ups and heavy frame repairs, we can help get your vehicle back in tip-top shape.

The best way to prevent vehicle collisions from happening is by remaining safe and attentive on the road. Knowing the types of vehicle collisions and how to avoid them is a great way to avoid any trips to our Collision Center. As much as we'd love to see you, we'd rather you remain safe on the road to save money and prevent any costly repairs from occurring! Predicting the behavior of other drivers can be very difficult, so knowing what to do in the event of a collision will help you remain prepared if a car accident does occur. Make sure to contact us if something occurs and we can get towing out to you right away! We'll even drive you to our Collision Center and get you set up with a rental vehicle so you can carry on with your day.

Whether you need your windshield fixed or your auto frame straightened, the collision services offered at Velde Ford will bring your vehicle back up to speed right away! We inspect your vehicle and provide you with a written estimate to keep you in the loop on pricing and repair costs. We're also happy to help you contact your insurance company, because we're a direct repair facility, so you'll be able to file a claim with ease Whether you're from Pekin, Washington, Marquette Heights, Morton, Canton, Peoria, Tremont, Bellevue, or anywhere in the area, we're happy to assist you! Schedule an estimate with us today and check out our wide variety of collision services!

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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Top 20 Road Trip Essentials

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Packing for a road trip? If you're planning on heading out of state, across the country, or simply through Illinois, we have a guide for you! To make your vacation a fun, exciting, and relaxing experience, make sure you bring these top 20 road trip essentials so you and your passengers have the best time possible. A great way to plan out your road trip is by budgeting out your gas with the AAA Gas Calculator. It gives you an estimate on how much gas your vehicle will require, prices in the areas you travel, and more based on the make and model of your vehicle.

1. Jacket: If you're going somewhere warm, it won't hurt to bring a jacket in case it rains or gets cold at night.
2. Boarding Passes, Tickets, Etc: These are some of the most frequently forgotten items on road trips, and are essential in ensuring you make it to your destination!
3. Extra Phone Charger: There's always a chance you may lose or misplace your phone charger, so bringing an extra one will keep your phone at full battery whenever you need it.
4. Several Pairs of Shoes: Tennis shoes, flip flops, and weather appropriate footwear will keep your feet comfortable on the beach, sidewalk, or wherever you go!
5. Extra SD Card: If you fill up your SD card on your camera, you can keep an extra SD card to fill with other memories so you won't have to delete old photos.
6. Copies of Travel Documents: If you're driving or traveling outside the country, keeping extra copies of your travel documents will save you a trip home and can reduce a lot of stress.
7. Headphones: Listen to your favorite tunes while shutting out any unnecessary noise with a pair of sound-isolating headphones.
8. Extra Tube of Toothpaste: In case you run out, bring an extra tube! You'll save yourself some extra money in the long run.
9. Sunscreen: In some tourist destinations, sunscreen can cost as much as $8 per bottle. Avoid an extra trip to a convenience store by bringing a bottle of sunscreen!
10. Hats: On scorching hot days, hats can protect your head from sunburns and discomfort.
11. Towels: Whether you're going to the beach or exploring a big city, bringing a towel never hurts if you have to dry off from a day full of swimming.
12. Sunglasses: This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you forget your pair, you'll have to purchase some from the convenience store, and like sunscreen, it can get very expensive!
13. Extra Socks: Have you ever tried to put on wet socks? It's not an enjoyable experience. Prevent this inconvenience by bringing extra socks along for the journey.
14. Umbrella: Protect yourself from any unexpected rain, snow, or other weather with an umbrella. On sunny days, it can help you reduce the chances of sunburn!
15. Snacks: For long journeys, whether you're on a plane or driving, snacks can hold you over and reduce the frequency of pit stops.
16. Medication: Bringing along ibuprofen or Tylenol can help you in the event that someone gets a sore throat or feels sick to avoid any road bumps in the trip!
17. Refillable Water Bottle: Help the planet out with a refillable water bottle so you won't have to purchase so much disposable plastic. Plus, they are easy to fill up and help save space!
18. Hand Sanitizer: In case you stop somewhere that's a little less than ideal, hand sanitizer will keep everyone's hands clean and prevent the spreading of germs!
19. First-Aid Kit: In case you run into an emergency, making sure your first-aid kit in your vehicle is well stocked will prepare you for any situation. It's better to be safe than sorry.
20. An Empty Bag: This may seem a little silly, but bringing an empty bag gives you the chance to fill it with any souvenirs you collect along the way!

There are tons of things you can bring on your vacation, but these top 20 road trip essentials should keep you prepared for just about anything you'll encounter on the road. Before you leave on your road trip, however, you'll want to make sure your vehicle is able to handle the road ahead. Use these summer car care tips to prepare yourself (and your vehicle) for the summer, whether you're going on a road trip or simply heading to work! Give us a call if you'd like to have your vehicle inspected before you leave for your vacation. Our helpful Service Staff can inspect all of the components of your vehicle to make sure you'll be able to hit the road without any bumps along the way!

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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Great Life Hacks For College Students

PEKIN, Ill., – In just a few short months, college students will be returning back to school! While they only visit for a short time, helping to prepare them for the world of adulthood can make all the difference in these upcoming years. Whether they're incoming college freshmen or seniors about to graduate, these great life hacks for college students will help them be more organized and learn new skills! You won't be able to help them all the time, but you can at least prepare them for any struggles they may have while they're away from home!

Make Early Wake-ups Easier

If they have trouble waking up in the morning, tell them to put their phone in a glass overnight. When their alarm goes off, the glass will amplify that sound and make it easier for them to wake up. Plus, they'll have to reach into the glass to turn off the alarm. If they put it away from their bed, like say across the room on their dresser, they'll have to get out of bed to turn it off, and that way, they'll be awake in no time! 

Color Code Your Keys

If they have trouble distinguishing keys, you can color code them! Using nail polish and some Scotch tape, you'll be able to tell them apart in no time! You can color code them based on their dorm room, house, car key, and other important keys to keep them organized. If you're feeling creative, you can make some pretty cool designs, too!

Hang Products From Your Curtain Rod

Say goodbye to the shower caddy! Using your shower curtain rod and a few clips, you'll be able to organize their entire shower, from hair products to skin care. This is a great way to keep their shower space open, their roommates happy, and their products all in one place. 

Bring Lots of Tupperware

Keep food for as long as possible with lots of tupperware! They'll be able to save everything from breakfast foods to midnight snacks, keeping them as fresh as possible! This is a great way to save money and time, allowing your students to focus more of your efforts towards classes. Plus, they'll be able to stack their tupperware in the fridge, keeping their roommates happy! 

Save Money For Life Goals

College is one of the most exciting times of your life. You don't have many responsibilities, you have plenty of free time, and you're given a lot of opportunities to learn about yourself. Students will find their passions and things they want to spend money on. In order to achieve those goals, though, the best strategy is to start saving money now! Collect loose change, leftover money from every paycheck, and odd job money to save up for those goals. Whether it's seeing concerts, grad school, or other hobbies, saving money in advance will give them more time to enjoy the fun without the stress.

Preparing for the next step of starting college can be overwhelming. With more expectations handed to college students and the responsibilities of taking care of themselves, it can leave parents worried about their kids. You can keep your young adults prepared with these great life hacks for college students. If they visit and are in need of some vehicle repairs, schedule an appointment with us and we'll get your vehicle looked at as soon as possible! Make sure their college experience is the best one yet, and don't forget to call them frequently!

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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Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Vehicle in Good Condition

PEKIN, Ill.,–– The best way to keep your vehicle running well for as long as possible is through consistent care and effort. We at Velde Ford Pekin have compiled a list of tips and tricks to keep your car in good condition from the experts themselves! Using these pro tips will keep your vehicle in good condition and can help you keep track of anything your vehicle may need. You'll be a pro in vehicle care in no time! 

Keep a Vehicle Service Log

This is an excellent way to keep track of any repairs or maintenance done on your vehicle. Using a log will allow you to keep track of when you'll need oil changes, tire rotations, and more. You can also use your service log to schedule future appointments with brake examinations and other inspections to keep your vehicle running smoothly! Some maintenance, like oil changes, should be done every 3,000-5,000 miles, while others, like fuel filter replacements, need to be done at longer timeframes. Check your owner's manual for more information!

Buy the Right Kind of Fuel for Your Vehicle

If your vehicle owner's manual says that you should fill your car with regular fuel, fill your car with regular fuel! Using higher octane fuel on a car that only requires regular fuel won't make much of a difference with your car and cause you to spend money you could use somewhere else. However, if your car requires higher octane fuel, make sure you fill it accordingly, because if you don't, you can cause serious damage to your engine. Read your owner's manual for any questions you may have!

Keep Your Vehicle Clean

Make sure that both the interior and exterior of your vehicle are cleaned regularly! Exterior dirtiness can cause rust to build up on your vehicle and can reduce its value and potentially damage necessary parts. Waiting for the next rainstorm to "clean" you car doesn't cut it! Your vehicle's interior is just as important, as a dirty interior can cause dust and dirt to accumulate. If this happens, your chance of getting sick in your vehicle goes up significantly, so make sure you keep all parts of your vehicle clean and healthy!

Fuel Economy Tips

The best way to improve your fuel economy is by keeping a close eye on your tire pressure. If you have adequate tire pressure by keeping your tires regularly filled and cared for, your tire life will be greatly extended and you'll get better gas mileage! Closing your windows or sunroof will help as well, as it will reduce wind resistance on your vehicle. If you accelerate smoothly when you drive, you'll be able to make the most of any trip you make, big or small!

Go Easy on a New Vehicle

If you just purchased a new vehicle, you probably want to take it out as much as you can. Negative habits like speeding and excessive towing can take a toll on a new vehicle. If you go slow and keep the towing to a minimum for at least the first 1,000-1,500 miles, you can ensure a much longer life for your vehicle. Avoiding bad driving habits like these can make your driving experience painless and enjoyable, especially with that brand new set of wheels!

We at Velde Ford want to make sure you're enjoying your vehicle experience for as long as possible. Making the most of your investment is the best way to enjoy a stress-free time on and off the road. Our list of tips and tricks to keep your vehicle in good condition should help you achieve this! If you have other questions or would like some more tips, feel free to check out our Tips & Tricks page or contact us!

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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Vehicle Maintenance Lights and What They Mean

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Your vehicle's dashboard can tell you a lot about it and what services it may need. While some, like the Check Engine light are very severe, there are also a lot of other lights that can illuminate for smaller issues that can become large if not properly taken care of. We at Velde Ford have created a list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean so that you're prepared for every situation on or off the road!

Check Battery Light

If this symbol lights up, make sure you get serviced right away! This light could mean that your battery has low power, which can leave your vehicle unable to start up. If you leave it unchecked, it can result in engine failure, so make sure you get your battery checked as soon as possible. Our expert battery technicians will help you get everything fixed in a timely manner.

Oil Warning Light

This light could be indicating that your vehicle has low oil pressure or a low oil level. If you see this while driving, pull over somewhere safe and check your oil level as quickly as possible! Driving on a low oil level can cause serious damage to your engine from component overheating. Making sure you get any oil issues taken care of as soon as possible is important in maintaining a healthy vehicle.

Low Tire Pressure Light

If one or more of your tires has low pressure, this light will illuminate to inform you of the problem. Check your tires immediately and take them in for a diagnostic as soon as possible. Small punctures or leaks can be affordably repaired, but larger damage may end up costing more. Sometimes, you may just need to fill up your tire with air, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Hood Ajar Light

Close your hood as soon as you are able to when you see this light! It means your hood wasn't fully closed when you last shut it. Driving without your hood fully closed for an extended period of time can cause the hood to fly up, which can eliminate your visibility on the road and potentially damage your windshield. Make sure you don't see this symbol while you're driving!

Airbag Malfunction Light

This light will come on when one of the airbags in your vehicle isn't working properly. While you're able to drive just fine without an airbag, it's highly encouraged that you get your airbags fixed as soon as possible. Without an airbag, you don't have anything to protect you if you happen to get into an accident. Staying proactive of this warning light is very important! 

Vehicle maintenance can be a very tedious task. However, keeping yourself safe on the road is a priority, especially when any warning lights illuminate on your vehicle's dashboard. We hope this list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean helps you to stay prepared if your vehicle has any issues! If you see an issue we didn't mention, you can refer to our vehicle dashboard light guide for a full list of symbols your car may show and their meanings. If anything does end up coming up and you need assistance, be sure to schedule an appointment to make sure your car is in good hands!

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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What to Do This Week in Pekin

PEKIN, Ill.,–– It's finally summertime! The warm weather means that fun in the sun is a must! Pekin and the surrounding area have a lot of fun events going on through the weekend and into next week. There are lots of chances for you to enjoy some outdoor activities this week, with plenty of activities for both family and friends to experience! We have created a guide on what to do this week in Pekin for you to enjoy. We've included plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Take a look below!

Watch a Peoria Chiefs Game this Weekend

Next week, the Peoria Chiefs play the Wisconsin Timber in Dozer Park at 7:30. Make a fun day out of watching some of Minor League Baseball's rising stars and take your family out for an affordable and exciting day in the ballpark! If you can't catch the game on May 30th, you can check out their schedule for other games as well!

Check Out Upcoming Concerts at the Peoria Civic Center

Looking for live entertainment? The Peoria Civic Center is hosting tons of shows these next few months, from REO Speedwagon to Dancing With the Stars: Live! Tickets are going fast, so make sure you purchase them as quickly as possible! Plan a fun day for your friends or family and take in the wide range of events available for patrons.

Run in a 5K or Fun Run!

The Common Ground Community Center is hosting a 5K Fun Run/1M Fun Run in Delavan, IL this Saturday at 8:00 AM. The proceeds raised will go towards renovations at the Common Ground, which will use the funds to create summer youth programs and fixing up the youth recreational center and kitchen cafe. Register for a fun 5K for a good cause! If you can't make it, there are plenty of other 5Ks that are happening throughout next month, as well!

Children's Storytime at Barnes and Noble in Bloomington

This Saturday at 10:00 AM, the Barnes and Noble in Bloomington will be participating in their bi-weekly Children's Storytime event. Their newest book being read this week is written by New York Times bestselling author-team James and Kimberly Dean. In it, Pete the Cat is learning a cool new dance, the Cool Cat Boogie! Activities will also take place, so be sure to make it a fun day full of learning!

With so many activities going on around Pekin, there's sure to be fun for everyone of all ages! Make the most of the sunny days to come and enjoy the beautiful weather outside. We hope this guide on what to do this week in Perkin comes in handy when you begin planning your activities for the weekend. While you're out and active, follow a few tips to make sure your car is in good condition, and make refer to our FAQ if you have any questions or concerns!

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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5 Kid-Friendly Spring Crafts

PEKIN, Ill. –  Get the kids together, or even the whole family and have some fun making these 5 kid-friendly spring crafts! Welcome the sunshine with your masterpiece when you’re done and put them in the window or around the house. With the weather warming up, the flower pots are a fun way to introduce your kids to plants and gardening, and the other crafts can easily be created using items from around the house! Add a splash of color to home with these cute crafts to create with your children!

5 Kid-Friendly Spring Crafts

Paper Rosette Birds

 

Thumbprint Flower Pot

 

Caterpillar Clothespins

 

Toilet Paper Tube Butterflies

 

Lady Bug Bottle Cap Magnets

 

We hope you have a great time making these crafts while the rain subsides and the sun comes out! Something else you can do on this rainy day is check out our spring car care section on our website! The service experts at Velde Ford want to make sure your vehicle is performing its best every season. Learn about the routine maintenance your vehicle needs this season and schedule a service appointment online.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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DIY Valentines for the Kids or Kids at Heart

PEKIN, Ill., – Valentine's Day is always a fun way to show the people in your life that you care about them. Valentine's Day parties at school are an exciting opportunity for kids to share treats and cards with classmates! So whether you're looking for some creative ways to share the love at work, or your kids need to hand out cards to their friends at school, these DIY Valentines are perfect for the kids or kids at heart! 

Valentine's Day Mice

Hershey's Kisses make perfect little mice when combined with a few crafting supplies! Your kids or coworkers will appreciate these cute treats.

Starburst Candy Valentines

These printable Valentines can be paired with Starburst candy for a nice message and tasty morsel!

Dino Cards

We think no matter your age, your friends will love these awesome dinosaur cards, complete with equally as awesome dinosaur puns.

Owl Craft

The puns are pretty awesome with this little guy too. Any heart shaped candy will make for perfect Valentine's Day owl eyes!

Star Wars Pixie Stix Lightsabers 

These are awesome for your Star Wars loving kid (or co-workers). You can easily print the cards and add the pixie stix as lightsabers! 

Goldfish Fishbowl 

Let everyone know you're happy to be in the same "school" with these cute Goldfish bowls.

Bouncy Ball Solar System

These are a super fun and creative way to use a bouncy ball in your valentines! No candy, but still a fun alternative to regular cards.

Cereal Valentines

We love these cereal box valentines! They're so unique and clever!

If you have a Valentine's Day party to attend this year, use these DIY Valentines for the kids or kids at heart to inspire you! Many of the projects above include free printables for your convenience. Don't forget to treat your vehicle to a little Valentine's Day love this year with our coupons page to save you money!

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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Delicious Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

PEKIN, Ill. – After many hours of cooking, cleaning, and shopping, we finally made it to Thanksgiving. The meal with your family was delicious and everybody complimented you on the stuffing this year. But now you have all of these leftovers piled in your fridge, and there’s no way you’re eating the same thing for the next week. We have a solution for you, though! Try these delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipes and make something new with the old.

Delicious Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

Leftover Turkey Chili

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pesto Panini

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Thanksgiving Leftover Nachos

Mashed Potato Puffs

Turkey & Brie Grilled Cheese

Don't feel like you're stuck eating the same thing everyday for a week after Thanksgiving! Embrace those leftovers and try out these delicious Thanksgivng leftover recipes! Be sure to check out our Who is Velde? page this holiday! We want to show you what it's like to be treated like family during your car buying or auto service experience!

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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Best Travel Times to Avoid Thanksgiving Traffic

PEKIN, Ill. –– Are you planning to travel this Thanksgiving? Many Americans take to the roads each November to visit family members and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, but this holiday can be a rough one if you haven't planned your trip ahead of time!

Last year an estimated 46.9 million Americans took to the road to enjoy turkey and stuffing somewhere away from home, according to AAA. It's safe to assume many of the families who squeezed into cars for those trips found themselves squeezed between other vehicles caught in bothersome traffic jams.

But after two years of monitoring traffic conditions around the holidays, Google uncovered a few insights that could potentially keep you out of the gridlock game throughout your holiday travels. If you're planning on crossing state lines this year to enjoy your feast, take a look at these best travel times to avoid Thanksgiving traffic.

Best Travel Times to Avoid Thanksgiving Traffic

• If possible, avoid making travel plans for the day before Thanksgiving. According to Google's data, Wednesday is the worst day of the week to travel on before Thanksgiving. It's no wonder seeing as everyone else in America is also scrambling to get to their Turkey Day destinations. If your plans require you to travel on Wednesday, try to leave before or after the timeframe of 3–5 p.m., which is considered the worst time on the worst day to travel.

• It might sound crazy, but the best time to travel for Thanksgiving is, well, Thanksgiving Day. Thursday tends to be the day with the least amount of traffic all week, and since typical Turkey Day feasts take place between 12 and 2 p.m., you're less likely to run into any traffic during this time.

• If you're heading to a new destination for the first time this Thanksgiving, prepare for your trip with directions from more than one source––don't put all of the pressure on Siri. We recommend using reputable map sites like Google maps and MapQuest, plus GPS technology of some kind. And, of course, it never hurts to bring along a more dated yet still handy technology, the road map. 

• So you've reached your destination, consumed more turkey than you should have, and packed up the leftovers. It's the day after Thanksgiving and you're probably thinking you can beat traffic by heading home early on Saturday. Unfortunately, this idea runs through just about every other traveler's head. Traffic can be up to 40% worse on Saturday, so spend a little extra time with those long-lost family members and head back home on Sunday instead.

If you're staying around the Pekin area during Thanksgiving, stop by our East Peoria area Ford dealer for some incredible auto service! At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com


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Who is Velde Ford?

PEKIN, Ill., – Who is Velde Ford? Let us tell you. For nearly 60 years, Velde Ford in Pekin, Illinois has been committed to bringing our community and neighbors the most extraordinary car dealership experience imaginable. We've undergone many changes throughout the years but one thing always seems to remain the same: we're family.

Watch Our Video: Who is Velde Ford?

If we've learned one thing over all this time, it's that we are nothing without our team members and community. We're so much more than just the shiny cars you see on the lot. We're one big team made up of technicians, clean up crew, new care prep members, sales people, office administrators, and anything in between! We would be no where without our loyal guests and we would like to extend an invitation to all of you. We want to invite you to join our family. Turn to us when you need someone you can count on. We lean on each other, and we want you to lean on us, too.

Watch Our Video: One Team, One Family

We know that the car business has a lot of turnover, sometimes this makes our industry seem untrustworthy. But not at Velde Ford. Our staff is full of people who love what they do. We truly believe that our service and sales team will provide you with the best experience you can imagine, and we want you to come see what it's like to be taken care of at Velde Ford!

So, who is Velde Ford? We're family, plain and simple! To get an even better idea of who we are and what we value, take a look at our Who is Velde Ford page at VeldeFordPekin.com. Here you'll find a few videos that we think really paint a picture of the experience we're trying to create for our guests. We hope to see you soon!

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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Scrumptious Fall-Inspired Recipes to Try This Season

PEKIN, Ill. –– In light of the year's most colorful season, we took to Pinterest to find some ways to bring autumn into the kitchen. It's no secret that just about everything contains apples or pumpkins this time of year, but what most people don't realize is there are tons of ways to alter recipes to make them healthier! You can have skinny eats and indulgent treats. We thought we'd save you some time by creating a list of scrumptious fall-inspired recipes to try this season! 

Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

 Pumpkin Pie Dip

Cinnamon Caramel Apple Energy Balls

Apple Cider Floats

Apple Chips

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

5-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

Do you have any other scrumptious fall-inspired recipes we should try this season? Share them with us by commenting below! Also, don't forget to head to our Pinterest page here for more fall-spiration! While you're browsing for fall recipes, head over to our Youtube and check out our latest video to see what Velde Ford is really about! We don't think you'll be disappointed!

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!

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com