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 Locations to Visit on Labor Day Weekend

PEKIN, Ill., – It’s almost time to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. For most, Labor Day represents the coming of fall weather, the start of school, and one last chance to hang out at the lake. This Labor Day, take advantage of the nice weather and your last chance for a summer getaway and try planning a short trip to one of these 5 locations to visit on Labor Day weekend.

Starved Rock State Park

Just about 70 miles northeast of Pekin, is Starved Rock State Park. Packed with beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, this park is the perfect weekend destination. You can rent paddle boats on the Illinois River and take guided hikes along the park trails.

Evanston, Illinois

If you’re up for a little further excursion and you’d like to get your feet wet in Lake Michigan, make the 180-mile trek just north of Chicago. In Evanston you’ll find beaches, lighthouses, and B&Bs for a leisurely weekend getaway.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

About a 3-hour drive north of Pekin you’ll find Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Spend the weekend lounging on the beach or shopping and eating in town. You can take a boat tour or walk along the Geneva Lake Shore Path!

Apple River Canyon, Illinois

This state park lies just 7 miles outside of the better-known town of Galena. It offers beautiful hiking trails and tons of wildlife. If you like to fish, this is the place to visit! This quiet refuge will provide some R&R this Labor Day weekend.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Go for a bike ride or a hike through the 29,000 acres of open prairie in Midewin. If you’re interested in gardening or flowers you can visit the Seed Nursery. This unique location is a fun Labor Day destination, just 120 miles northeast of Pekin.

If you’re wondering what to do with your day off this holiday, take a trip to one of these 5 locations to visit on Labor Day weekend! If you're looking for more Illinois travel ideas, check out our Pinterest! We have tons of travel destinations on our Illinois and Travel boards! When you get home, be sure to enter to win a 2 year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape during Velde’s 60th Anniversary Celebration! Take all the adventures you can imagine in Ford’s compact crossover!

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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How to Grill the Perfect Steak This Labor Day

PEKIN, Ill. – Your friend may have a secret steak rub recipe, but you can show them who’s boss when it comes to bringing a steak to the perfect level of tenderness. With a simple trick, you can be the friend who knows better than anyone how to grill the perfect steak this Labor Day. It’s a simple trick you won’t forget, and the secret lies in the palm of your hand.

For a rare steak, you want the meat to feel spongy and a little springy. To understand what a rare steak should feel like, hold your hand open and with your other index finger press the palm under your thumb. That tenderness is what a rare steak should feel like.

You can use this trick to check your steak according to the degree of wellness you or your guests prefer; all you have to do is increase or decrease the firmness of your palm by forming a circle with your fingers and thumb.

To test for medium-rare steaks, make a circle with your index finger and thumb. For medium steaks make a circle with your middle finger and thumb. For medium-well steaks, make a circle with your ring finger and thumb. For well-done steaks make a circle with your pinky and thumb.

Instead of serving undercooked steaks, or using the less elegant method of cutting into the meat to check its color, you now know how to grill the perfect steak this Labor Day using a simple, proven technique. If your friend insists on using their overhyped secret rub, let them. You now wield the bigger steak knife in the battle of grilling.

If you have an eye for steak, which you now do, you probably have an eye for quality vehicles, too. In that case, stop by our Ford dealership serving Peoria, IL, to check out our inventory of used Fords for sale.

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

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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