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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Easy DIY Valentine Ideas for Kids!

PEKIN, Illi. - Say goodbye to traditional paper valentines and try something new this Valentine's Day! We are helping you and your kiddos kick things up a notch this year by offering you some fun and creative ways to spice up valentines at an affordable price. With these Easy DIY Valentine Ideas for Kids, you and your little one can spend some quality time together creating personalized treats for their friends and classmates! 

1. "I Dig You!"
Fill a clear plastic bag with your child's favorite Valentine's Day candy, then insert a small plastic shovel. Seal it with an "I Dig You" tag and your child's name! 

2. "Just Popping in to say, Happy Valentine's Day"

Valentines do not always have to include candy! Bubbles are not only inexpensive for you, but they're also a blast for the kids!

3. Flower Tootsie Pops
Are you feeling extra "crafty" today? With a few muffin cups and some tape, you can make these adorable Flower Tootsie Pops in just a matter of minutes! You will find the complete tutorial here.

4. Valentine S'mores in a Jar
If you choose to do this project for a large group, we suggest using a festive bag as opposed to a mason jar for each valentine. You can easily find all of the contents for a "Valentine S'mores in a Jar" - Valentine's Day marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers - at your local grocery store!

5. "Valentine, You RULE!"

Rulers are a great valentine alternative. This is a gift that your child's classmates can store in their desks and use for the rest of the school year!

 6. "Sip, sip HOORAY! It's Valentine's Day!"
This is a healthier Valentine's Day treat. Attach a festive Valentine's Day straw to a juice box or bottle of water with a packet of flavoring! 

If you liked these Easy DIY Valentine Ideas for Kids, then you are going to love all of the other Valentine's Day fun that we have waiting for you on our Pinterest page! 

Looking for a great gift for your valentine this year? Try a new car from Velde Ford! That special someone is sure to love the all-new 2016 Ford Fusion. 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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Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes

PEKIN, Illi. - Let the countdown to Christmas begin! With only a few weeks left to check everything off of our holiday to-do list, we realized that the last thing we want is to run out of time before we are able to enjoy all that this season has to offer. One of our favorite holiday activities that we always make time for? Baking festive treats for ole' St. Nick, of course!  

Think about it: Santa travels around the world to visit hundreds of thousands of children in one single night and has A TON of cookies to taste! If you want your Christmas treats to stand out from the rest of the crowd's, check out our list of Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes: 

Santa Claus Approved Christmas Cookie Recipes

The Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies
One warning about these gingerbread cookies: be prepared to make two batches. You will definitely want one to share with others and one to keep for yourself, haha!

Perfect Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

A few special ingredients in this dough ensure that you get a flawless cookie cut-out every single time.

Peppermint Topped Brownies
We know these technically aren't cookies, but they looked way too delicious not to share with you all! Peppermint + chocolate = one delectable combination. 

Peanut Butter Toffee Turtle Cookies

You couldn't pack any more flavor into this recipe! Chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and toffee; what more could you need?

Hazelnut Chocolate Biscotti

These Italian cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee after dinner. 

Peppermint Butter Cookies

This cookie is super soft and full of peppermint flavor, making it the ideal holiday treat!

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Who doesn't love a rich, chocolately glass of hot cocoa? Now you can turn a classic winter beverage into a scrumptious Christmas cookie!

Velde Autos would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! If a new car is on your wish list this year, let the experts at our Ford dealership help you find the perfect vehicle that will meet all of your driving needs!

At Velde Autos, 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 located 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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Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes

PEKIN, Illi. - It's almost time to gobble until you wobble! With Thanksgiving on the brain, we thought it was time we turn to Pinterest for some scrumptious recipes to add to our holiday menu. Since our screen was just flooded with dozens of delicious dishes, we decided to narrow it down to a list of recipes that we believe are the best of the best!  

From tasty twists on some of our holiday favorites to a few new mouth-watering combinations, we are sure this list contains a side dish suggestion that will satisfy any one of your guest's taste buds. Now it's time to decide which of these Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes will round out your turkey day feast ––

Rosemary Roasted Carrots

 Rosemary Garlic Fingerling Potatoes 

Roasted Vegetables

Cranberry Brie Bites

Green Bean Casserole

Asparagus and Tater Toss

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Loaded Sweet Potato Skins

Remember you can find these Must-Try Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes plus everything from holiday decorating tips to gift ideas on our Pinterest page!

We have a great idea for a stocking stuffer! How about the keys to a beautiful new vehicle from Velde Ford? Come by your East Peoria Ford dealer and take any of our cars or trucks for a test-drive. We're happy to help you with anything you need this winter. 

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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Cadillac Capsule Collection Makes Luxury Automotive Fashion Statement

© General Motors

PEKIN, Ill. – The auto industry is transitioning into an era where brands' cultural relevance matters to consumers. With that in mind, every unfamiliar avenue Cadillac speeds down needs to be a rational extension of their luxury image, and creating a line of fashionable menswear was one of the conquerable roads they discovered.

The Cadillac Capsule Collection makes a luxury automotive fashion statement exemplified by 15 fall and winter looks designed for men by rising designers, and styled by famed street style icon Nick Wooster. The collection is the perfect conduit for Cadillac to showcase its luxury design principles in the world of designer men's clothing.

In order for the Cadillac Capsule Collection to make a luxury automotive fashion statement, Cadillac teamed up with some of the fashion industry’s most creative designers from prominent brands such as Cadet, Carlos Campos, David Hart, Ernest Alexander, Gents, J. Lindeberg, Mark McNairy New Amsterdam, PLAC, and Timo Weiland.

Many of the designers have churned out high fashion pieces for the annual New York Men’s Day (NYMD) that showcases pieces from elite designers to celebrate the impact of menswear in American fashion. Cadillac has served as a key sponsor of NYMD since its commencement as a high-end fashion show.

There’s an unfamiliar intrigue that draws excitement over the Cadillac Capsule Collection when you realize the designs fall perfectly in line with Cadillac's luxury vehicle lineup. You can find the Cadillac Capsule Collection exclusively at Gilt.com/CadillacCapsule beginning September 9, 2015. Clothing prices range from $59-2,000, and David Hart, Cadet and Ernest Alexander will have pieces only unobtainable at other retailers. 

Considering how awestruck we are by the Cadillac cars for sale at our Bartonville area Cadillac dealer, we anticipate the Cadillac Capsule Collection will imitate the same modern luxury found in the automaker's vehicles. 

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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All-New 2016 GMC Sierra Revealed

© General Motors

PEKIN, Mich.– If you’re extremely particular about the type of pickup you drive, the moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived now that the all-new 2016 GMC Sierra was revealed.

The Sierra is GMC’s best-selling truck and GMC pulled back the curtain on the 2016 model just as the current model came out of its best June sales since 2006, along with 12 straight months of nonstop sales improvements.

Although the Sierra is a top performer in its segment, the majority of consumers are first drawn to its impressive design. That’s why the all-new GMC Sierra was revealed as having a number of new design elements like:

• “C-shaped” LED signature daytime running lights and LED headlights
• “C-shaped” LED taillights
• New front fascia and grilles for each trim level
• New LED fog lamps
• New bumpers

So far details on the 2016 Sierra are scarce, but GMC will disclose more information between now and when the best-selling pickup will be available near the end of 2015. Looking through some of the photos GMC released, we can at least gather you’ll be able to use Apple CarPlay– Apple’s operating system used to integrate iPhones with vehicles– through the new Sierra’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which is a definite plus.

As somewhat of a little brother to GM’s bigger brands like Chevrolet, it’s not often we hear big news like this from GMC. We can’t wait to add the 2016 GMC Sierra to our inventory of New GMC Trucks at our Bartonville area GMC dealership!

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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2015 GMC Canyon Has One of The 10 Best Interiors

PEKIN, Illi. – We sure hope the 2015 GMC Canyon isn't camera shy, because it's been the center of attention since its big debut! Already the recipient of numerous honors such as the Inaugural Midsize Truck Award and the Best of the Best Truck Award, the pickup now has another gold star to add to its growing list – the 2015 GMC Canyon has one of the 10 Best Interiors according to Ward's Auto!

When it came down to selecting the 10 Best Vehicle Interiors of the year out of the 42 eligible models, materials, design aesthetics, fit-and-finish, ergonomics, safety, comfort, value, and driver information were all taken into consideration. Ward's named the 2015 GMC Canyon one of the 10 Best Interiors of the year for the truck's ability to revive the stale midsize pickup segment. The Ward's team was particularly impressed by the extensive feature content which makes you feel like you're inside a well-equipped SUV, shedding the stereotypical "compact work truck" expectation. You can enjoy a Bose audio system, plush leather, user-friendly touchscreen, and advanced safety features, without having to upgrade to a full-size truck!

From our perspective, we can say the 2015 GMC Canyon has been extremely popular among consumers as well. We can barely keep them on the lot! Stop by our Peoria Area GMC Dealership to learn more about this title-holder! We have tons of New GMC Trucks to serve your pickup needs!

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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Things To Do In Peoria, IL

PEORIA, Illi. – Don't you just love when you discover a new place to visit or a new area to explore right near your hometown? We love supporting our surrounding communities and staying local when we can, so we're making it our mission to never stop exploring our great state of Illinois!

Peoria, Illinois is less than 20 minutes from Pekin and is a overflowing with tons of exciting activities. We've compiled a list of endless ideas of things to do in Peoria, IL to help get your adventure started! Take a look –

Things To Do In Peoria, IL

-Peoria Zoo
-Boat Tours
-Riverfront Museum
-Dozer Park
-Peoria Civic Center
-Forest Park
-Giant Oak Park
-Luthy Botanical Garden
-Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences
-Caterpillar Visitors Center

While these 10 popular Peoria activities will definitely keep you busy during your visit, EnjoyIllinois.com and the Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau are both great resources for your Peoria adventure if you're looking for something more!

Like we said, Peoria is less than 20 minutes from Pekin, so if you're searching for a Cadillac Dealership, Buick Dealership, GMC Dealership, or Ford Dealership, we're here to help! 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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2016 Buick Enclave Tuscan Edition

PEKIN, Illi. – Did you know that it was the Buick Enclave that fueled the brand's rebirth as a notable luxury vehicle brand? Well eight years later, the crossover's momentum is still going strong and to celebrate, the automaker is introducing the 2016 Buick Enclave Tuscan Edition!

Building on record sales from 2014, the 2016 Buick Enclave Tuscan Edition takes a more distinctive approach to the three-row crossover with a sleek bronze-tone grille and bronze accented 20-inch chrome-clad wheels. The Enclave has achieved notablepopularity in it's segment and the Tuscan edition confirms it's not going anywhere. AND, it won't be long before you can get your hands on one because the 2016 Enclave Tuscan Edition goes on sale this summer!

Take your pick from one of three exterior colors: White Frost Tricoat, Dark Chocolate Metallic and Ebony Twilight Metallic, then enjoy the rest of the features available on this distinctive edition crossover:

• Wood-trimmed, heated steering wheel
• Ice-blue LED ambient lighting around the instrument panel
• 8-way power driver and passenger seats with power recline, lumbar support and driver memory
• Heated front seats on Leather models and heated/cooled seats on Premium models
• Power-tilting/telescoping steering column on Premium models
• Buick IntelliLink with color touchscreen radio
• OnStar with 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• High-intensity discharge headlamps
• Power liftgate
• Rear park assist and rear-vision camera system with dynamic guidelines

The Buick Enclave is the perfect vehicle for you no matter where you're at in your life! It offers three-rows of seating with easy access to the back row thanks to the SmartSlide system, which means there's tons of room for your family, friends, or cargo! Stop by our Peoria Area Buick Dealership to check out our inventory of New Buick Cars!

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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2016 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali Introduced at New York International Auto Show

PEKIN, Illi. - One of the strongest models in the compact SUV segment just became even more irresistible. This week the 2016 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali were introduced at the New York International Auto Show and proved to be the ultimate choice for customers seeking versatility, technology, and style.

With the compact SUV market growing at a rapid pace, GMC knew it was time to amp up one of their most popular models. GMC's 2016 Terrain and Terrain Denali have completely reshaped front-end appearances with new grille designs, power dome hoods, and LED daytime running lamps. GMC will also be offering Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert for the first time on the SLE and SLT models. 

GMC's continued focus on precision and attention to detail are quite evident on the updated Terrain models. Both Terrains not only feature a modernized appearance, but several other new revisions including new front and rear fascias with a C-shaped lower chrome trim, an upgraded instrument panel "center stack" with a new storage shelf and control graphics, and two new premium exterior colors (White Frost Tricoat and Crimson Red).  

Now that the 2016 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali have been officially introduced at the New York International Auto Show, all there is left to do is sit and patiently wait for them to go on sale this fall. In the mean time, you can still test drive the latest Terrain model at your Pekin Area GMC Dealer! 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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Spring Lease Specials at Velde Cadillac Buick GMC!

PEKIN, Illi. - Changes in the Illinois sales tax laws have made leasing a vehicle more affordable than ever! At Velde Cadillac Buick GMC we want to help our customers save even MORE on their monthly lease payments, which is why we are sweetening the deal with these awesome Spring Lease Specials!

Have you been contemplating the idea of leasing a new Cadillac, Buick, or GMC vehicle? Well, with the Spring Lease Specials at Velde Cadillac Buick GMC there has never been a more perfect time to lease. Not only will you pay less sales tax thanks to new leasing laws, but you will also save BIG on your monthly lease payments with help from Velde Cadillac Buick GMC!

Are you ready to get behind the wheel of a new 2015 Buick Encore, 2015 Buick Verano, 2015 GMC Terrain SLE-1, or 2015 Cadillac SRX? Don't waste another minute! Take advantage of the Spring Lease Specials at Velde Cadillac Buick GMC! 

Your local Pekin Area Cadillac Dealership is ready to give you an incredible deal on a NEW vehicle! 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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Buick Creates Their Own "Sweet Sixteen" Bracket for March Madness

PEKIN, Illi. - Once again, Buick is the main sponsor of one of March's most anticipated events, the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. This year Buick has decided to try something different and will be partaking in the bracket craze.  Buick has created their own "Sweet Sixteen" bracket for March Madness, which will feature some of the craziest trick-shots to ever grace the internet.

You won't be seeing any college basketball teams on Buick's "Sweet Sixteen" bracket for March Madness, but instead you will meet 16 skilled trick-shot artists competing in a head-to-head showdown. Starting Monday, the tournament will begin online via Buick's website and social media platforms. It is there that the public will be able to view the videos and cast a vote for their favorite trick-shot artist.  

Now you're probably wondering, who are the talents participating in this "Sweet Sixteen" competition? None other than dunk-champions Team Flight Brothers, the trampoline-assisted Dunking Devils, and Titus, a four-year-old YouTube sensation. Buick vehicles will serve as props for the trick-shot videos, while these 16 skilled artists use feats of coordination and physics to win your vote! 

Below is one of the videos from the bracket, featuring four-year-old Titus –––




Check out some of the vehicles in Buick's "Sweet Sixteen" lineup at your local Buick Dealer serving Pekin, IL! 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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Velde Cadillac Buick GMC's Vehicle of the Month!

PEKIN, Illi. - Luxury? Check. Performance? Check. Safety features? Check. Velde Cadillac Buick GMC's Vehicle of the Month offers everything a driver could want in one stunning and affordable package. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the gorgeous 2015 Buick Encore 1SB!

The 2015 Buick Encore 1SB can be yours for ONLY $199 per month when you visit us at Velde Cadillac Buick GMC. Not only is the 2015 Encore equipped with exceptional safety features including Rear-Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert, but it also houses an incredibly fuel-efficeint 1.4L turbocharged engine under the hood. With the 2015 Buick Encore 1SB, it is all about the driver. This tech savvy ride takes convenience to another level with the available OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability and the Buick IntelliLink system. 

Velde Cadillac Buick GMC's Vehicle of the Month is the total package. It's stylish, spacious, and it can be yours for $199 per month with only $1,999 down! Ready to take one for a test drive? Stop by your Pekin Area Buick Dealership today! 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

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram