Family-Friendly Fall Activities

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Fall is finally here! Now's the time to enjoy bonfires, warm cider, changing colors, apple-picking, and more fall fun. While the fall season is known for hayrides and cider mills, there's plenty of fun to be had all around Pekin! Try our list of family-friendly fall activities for unforgettable memories this season. From caramel apples to the farmer's market, the Pekin area is full of fun for everyone this autumn.

Grab a treat at Maurie's

Every fall, Maurie's in Pekin makes homemade caramel apples for everyone to enjoy. For the past 75 years, these amazing apples have been a must for Pekin residents in the fall season. Make sure you call ahead or stop in early because these tasty treats go fast and are only available from August-November. If you're in the mood for other fall necessities, you can get your hands on candy, caramel popcorn, hot chocolate, cider, and other goodies! 

Enjoy a Day at Rader Farms

Rader Family Farms, located in Normal, Illinois, is full of adventure and activities for anyone of any age! Challenge your friends to an apple shooting competition with Apple Blasters, make your way through a corn maze, explore over six acres of U-Pick pumpkins, and much more! Hungry? Rader Farms has five food and drink locations. Grab a bite to eat at Pumpkin Blossom Cafe or sip on a cup of coffee at the Harvest Brew Coffee Shop. You'll want to have a full stomach when you're ready to take on the 10-acre corn maze!

Explore the Spoon River Scenic Drive

The first two weekends of October are full of color at the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive! Make your way through this beautiful route and discover this breathtaking corner of Fulton County. Enjoy the vibrant fall colors, explore the 50th Annual Fall Festival, and find the perfect place to camp or stay for the night! There are countless sights to see and places to go on the Spoon River Scenic Drive. Don't miss out on the annual fall festival this October!

Enjoy Fall Fun at Tanners Orchard

Tanners Orchard, located in Speer, Illinois, is celebrating over 70 years of service this fall. Get lost in the corn maze, pick your own apples in the orchard, or play a game of Tug O' War! Feeling hungry? Snack on a doughnut, grab a glass of warm apple cider and hitch a ride on a hayride as the sun sets. For an unforgettable orchard experience, look no further than Tanners Orchard!

Stop by the Heritage Farmer's Market

From September to July, the Heritage Farmer's Market provides the Pekin area with locally sourced ingredients and foods that help local families year round! Get to know the people who grow the food for your family, enjoy arts and crafts with your kids, and learn new recipes every Saturday from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Check in with the farmer's market schedule to find out about special events and fun for the whole family!

This fall, support your local businesses and enjoy some family-friendly fall activities! You can make great memories, help the community around you, and appreciate the fall season. Did you know that owners of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles receive 24/7 roadside assistance? Owning a Ford CPO vehicle comes with a lot of unique perks that can benefit drivers, including extended warranties, a clean vehicle title, and much more. If you're interested in purchasing a CPO vehicle, take a look at our CPO inventory to browse our wide selection of vehicles and get a great deal. A CPO Ford would be the perfect vehicle to take on all your fall adventures!

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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Labor Day Activities for the Whole Family

PEKIN, Ill.,–– September 4th is Labor Day this year! An extra day off means you'll get more time to spend with your family, however, it can be difficult finding something everyone will enjoy. Take a look at some labor day activities for the whole family to find a fun getaway that everyone will be sure to love! Whether your family prefers baseball games, fun in the sun, or festivals, there's something for everyone in our list.

1. Watch a Peoria Chiefs Game

Labor Day weekend is full of Peoria Chiefs action you can enjoy! From Friday to Sunday, the Chiefs will be playing the Kane County Cougars in a full series. You can catch evening games at 6:30 pm, or an early afternoon game on Labor Day at 1:00 pm if you're looking for a daytime event. Plus, the tickets all come at affordable group rates for the whole family!

2. Enjoy the Peoria Blues Festival

Celebrating its 29th anniversary, the Peoria Blues Festival will be coming back in full swing on September 1st and 2nd. With a huge lineup, mouth-watering food, and fun workshops, there's something for everyone at the Peoria Blues Festival this year. Buy your tickets now before they sell out - you won't want to miss this annual event!

3. Volunteer Locally

Teach your family the value of giving back to the world around you with local volunteer opportunities. You can positively impact your community and make a difference in someone's life with just a few hours of your time. Whether you're working at a soup kitchen, improving someone's literacy, or taking dogs for a walk, volunteering leaves a lasting impression on your community.

4. Visit the Shedd Aquarium

Pet a stingray, see beluga whales, and experience more underwater species at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago! This Labor Day weekend, the Shedd Aquarium will have discounted admission for families of any size. Learn about the marine world around us and the unique animals that make their home in the ocean. If you've never pet a stingray before, now's the time to do it!

5. Enjoy Masterpiece Mondays

On Labor Day, create a unique masterpiece to call your own at the Pekin High School Art Room! Your registration fee covers the materials to make a Zentangle, a Scratchboard, Collograph Prints, Pastel Drawings, and more! Classes are for kids ages 6-18, so children of any age can enjoy an awesome fun-filled day making unique art pieces!

6. Take a Trip on the Moonlight Cruise

Enjoy an unforgettable experience on the Spirit of Peoria this Labor Day weekend. Live entertainment and a cash bar will be available. Boarding begins at 7:00 pm, and the cruise continues from 7:30-9:30 pm, giving everyone a chance to watch the sun go down and the moon rise. There are no reservations needed, so get yourself on the Spirit of Peoria as soon as possible!

7. Catch a Movie With the Whole Family

On Labor Day weekend, the New Vision Theater in Pekin will feature Labor Day discounts to families wanting to see a movie! Whether you're going as a group to see a family film like Despicable Me, or catching a late night date flick like The Big Sick, the Pekin New Vision Theater has something for everyone. 

Make the most of your extended weekend with these Labor Day activities for the whole family! If you're taking a road trip this summer, follow some of our road trip tips to ensure your journey runs smoothly. Plus, save extra money with our service coupons and make sure your car is ready to hit the road! If you'd rather stay at home and invite friends and family over for a good old fashioned cookout, consider making some of these summer desserts!

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 Delicious & Flavorful Camping Recipes

PEKIN, Ill. – The weather is getting warmer, and summer vacation is right around the corner! Summer is full of fun adventures like road trips, day trips, and of course, camping. Camping is all about living the easy life, and enjoying the outdoors in beautiful Illinois with friends and family. Upgrade your camping style this year and try these 5 delicious & flavorful camping recipes.

Camping Mac N’ Cheese

Campfire Chili Cheese Fries

Camping Quesadillas

 

French Bread Pizza

Veggie & Sausage Shish Kabobs

 

Keep in mind that these 5 delicious & flavorful camping recipes will need to be prepared ahead of time and then packed with the rest of your food for your next camping adventure. Looking for a new SUV that will fit the whole family and all of your camping supplies? Velde Ford can help you with that. Take a look at the 2016 Ford Expedition EL. Parents will love the safety and technology features with this vehicle and the kids will love all the room they have during road trips. Come in for a test drive today if you’re interested.

Already have the perfect vehicle for your camping trips? Head on over to our Spring Car Care section on our website to learn about the maintenance your wipers, tires, and car fluids need this season. Make sure your vehicle is ready for your camping trip and schedule your spring service appointment at our Service Center 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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Rainy Day Activity Ideas

Pekin, Illi. – They say April showers bring May flowers, and we're definitely not short on rain this week! If you're anything like us, the first thing you want to do on a rainy day is curl up on the couch and watch a movie, but if we're being real here we all know you can't watch a movie every single day of spring. So, if you're looking for a few fun ideas to cure the rainy day blues, check out these rainy day activity ideas!

Rainy Day Activity Ideas for Kids

Indoor Treasure Hunt

Host your very own indoor treasure hunt! All you have to do is create a set of clues, with each clue leading to the next and eventually to the treasure. Label the clues (5/10 or five of ten) to help the hunters keep track and before you know it they'll be lost in another world!

Build a Fort Indoors

Is there anything cooler as a child than building a fort inside and being able to sneak away to what seems like an alternate universe? Probably not.

Indoor Paddle Ball

Just because the rain is keeping you inside doesn't mean you can't get active. Try this indoor version of paddle ball – and no expensive vases or lamps will get broken.

Get Scientific

Play Bill Nye and watch your little ones oooh and ahhh over this science experiment that makes these worms come alive right before your eyes!

Cardboard Creativity

There's just something about a cardboard box that sparks creativity. The options are endless and will keep your little ones occupied all day!

If you do brave the rain and head to town on a spring rainy day, make sure to exercise additional caution on the roads since they can become slick with rainfall. As the weather changes, it's always best to be extra careful to ensure safety for you and your passengers.

If you're sick of the rain and can't wait to drop the top on a brand new convertible, stop by our Ford Dealership serving Peoria, IL to check out the new Mustang or visit our Peoria area GMC Dealership for a vehicle that is ready for any type of adventure!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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