Reliably transporting commodities thousands of miles, moving tons of concrete and battling house fires is only a fraction of what trucks do. In fact, one of a truck’s most important jobs is giving kids the opportunity to climb inside.

On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lafayette Ford will host its Fall Festival where the whole family can get an up-close and personal look at some of the service vehicles that make our world just a little bit easier and safer.

“We’re trying to get all of our community vehicles involved,” said Lafayette Ford Marketing Director Paula Lindler. “And not even necessarily trucks. It can be any vehicle, but we’re trying to get” an ambulance, a fire truck, a police car, and interesting things like that for the whole family to enjoy.

If you’ve taken a drive around town or a walk through the grocery store, you’re aware that we haven’t completely recovered from the pandemic. Thankfully, Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is a means to give our imaginations something to contemplate other than the misery of a crippled supply chain.

All sorts of major industries rely on service vehicles to maintain their supply chain, and this reliance is echoed in smaller industries, said tech company Cloud Trucks. Everything from raw material that come from forests, mines and farms must be transported by truck in a distribution process that repeats itself all the way down to the consumer, CT said.

Transportation of supplies is not the only industry that relies on vehicles. Utilities, public service, law enforcement, medical care and of course, the fire department, rely on vehicles so workers can accomplish their duties.

“Kids love fire trucks,” Lindler added. “We want kids to get to know local police, and it’s just a good will community building event.”

Despite promoting an event called “Truck Day” in November for the past few years, this year they changed the name to the Fall Festival, Lindler said. “Because Lafayette Ford is expanding into things besides trucks.”

Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is a community event, and it is free to everyone. However, Lafayette Ford is asking each person to bring one can of food to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina.
The first 250 people to bring a food donation will get a free lunch from one of the food trucks paid for by Lafayette Ford. Plus, you will get a ticket for a chance to win one of the door prizes, Lindler said. You can eat a cheap lunch and win some cool prizes that day, Lindler added.
The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center will be on hand, too. So, while the kids are playing on all the cool trucks, the adults can roll up their sleeves and give blood if they want, Lindler said.

“[Lafayette Ford] isn’t trying necessarily to sell vehicles [during the festival]. It’s really about giving back to the community,” Lindler said.

“We’re going to have Truck or Treat for the kids. We’re going to have some trucks decorated for Halloween, and we’ll be giving out candy,” Lindler said.

Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5202 Raeford Road. Lafayette Ford is located on the southwestern side of Fayetteville. For more information about the Fall Festival and Lafayette Ford, please visit LaFayetteFord.com.

Take a break that Saturday, wear your favorite costumes and head down to Lafayette Ford. Kids of all ages can have fun checking out all the trucks and other vehicles while helping a few local good causes.

“There will be a lot of vehicles on display” at the Fall Festival, such as utility trucks that restore power when there’s a storm, Lindler added.
Lafayette history

In 1949, Bess Smith opened Lafayette Motor Sales in downtown Fayetteville. This All-American dealership started out using the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, respect and community involvement. Values that Lafayette Ford holds dear to this day.

In 1955, George Purvis Sr. purchased Lafayette Motor Sales. As Fayetteville expanded, Purvis realized Lafayette Ford needed to expand, as well, and was essential in turning Lafayette Motor Sales into the dealership it is today.

In 1982, Lafayette Ford found its official home on Raeford Road. At that time, the dealership consisted of a small new and used sales building and car wash, but, as time went on and the business became more successful, a service and parts department was added, making Lafayette Ford the one-stop-shop for all of our automotive needs.

In 1995, Don Price purchased Lafayette Ford. Price began his career as a salesman at Lafayette Ford back in the mid-1960s, and, by the time he bought the dealership, he was general manager. Before that, Price was in the Air Force.

With Price, son Tim and son-in-law Mark Fisher on board, Lafayette Ford continues over 70 years of success by being the dealership that treats its customers like family, and the Fall Festival won’t be the exception.