MY #FORDSUMMER FESTIVAL ROAD TRIP!

2017 has been one crazy-kick ass-whirlwind of a year. If you told me a year and a half ago when I was just starting my blog that I would work with one of the largest car companies in the world I would never have believed you! As a content creator I often have these crazy big ideas. Little did I know it would be those crazy big ideas that would lead me to where I am today.

So to put things in perspective of how big this was for me, a couple months ago while at an event, I shared one of my crazy big ideas with this lovely gentleman that I met. As it turned out he was the right guy to talk to because next thing I know I'm submitting a topline proposal. Can you believe it!? I wasn't kidding when I said it’s been a kick ass-whirlwind of a year. Anyways, next thing I know my crazy idea is actually happening – Ford Canada wants to work with me!

As you can imagine I was (and totally still am) ecstatic about receiving this news! Although I have never owned a Ford personally I can clearly recall numerous memories from my high school and university years when I would cruise around the suburbs of Toronto in my bestie’s Ford Escape (dubbed the ‘Xena Warrior Princess’ because it literally kicked ass) listening to music, tailgating with friends, and of course road trips up north! Now my crazy big idea of a road trip to a festival with a couple of my influencer besties was now becoming a reality and I couldn't of been happier! Not only was Ford Canada supporting my dreams and giving me, as a content creator, the ability to show the full scale of my capabilities, but they also were supporting a festival with a great cause and provided us with two amazing vehicles!

The New Farm Festival is an annual festival fundraiser that supports ‘Farms for Change’; a partnership between Canadian organic farmers and community food centres. This year the New Farm festival featured many of Toronto’s top restaurants including Momofuku, Cafe Boulud, Colette, The Drake Hotel, and Planta just to name a few. On top of feasting from over a dozen delicious restaurants there were also many music performances throughout the evening including this year’s headliner Joel Plaskett and the Emergency.

To head up the festival Ford provided us with two of their most coveted vehicles – the Ford Flex a seven passanger SUV known for its spacious and comfortable interior, and the Ford C-Max Energi, Ford’s most fuel efficient, clean energy, multi active vehicle! Having never previously driven either one of these vehicles before I am happy to report that Ford continues to be in line with my ideals of what makes a good vehicle and reinforces the standards of comfortability, reliability, and safety I already associate with their brand!

The Ford Flex first premiered 10 years ago and is made right here in Canada. This vehicle is not only one of Ford’s more stylish cars, but its bold boxy design is very in-vogue today. The features in this car are outstanding and definitely set it apart from its competition. From the Ford SYNC 3 technology (making it easy and simple to sync your phone for a hands-free drive) to the active park assist, and the voice activated navigation this vehicle not only insures you will arrive safely to your destination but also enjoy the ride. It is definitely safe to say that this vehicle is the ultimate road trip vehicle! With seven-passenger seating and all climate control settings it’s easy to ensure everyone has a comfortable journey. I was amazed with the design of this vehicle; it felt bright like you were outside thanks to its multi panel vista roofs. The cooling function in my seat was so clutch and came in handy during the long drive up to the festival especially now with the summer heat. It wouldn’t be a road trip without some great tunes to sing along to and the Ford Flex’s Sony stereo system with Sirius XM kept the good times a-rollin!

Although the Flex does make the perfect road trip vehicle I still would have to say that the Ford C-Max Energi was my favourite out of the two vehicles. The Ford C-Max, although compact, feels very spacious. It has a massive windshield making it truly feel like a vehicle from the future. It was so quiet I had to double check that the engine was even on and after an entire weekend of driving I still had a half a tank of gas! Although it was a much smaller vehicle then the Ford Flex it was still very comfortable and had a lot of the same features like the Sony Stereo system with Sirius XM, the Ford SYNC 3 technology and voice activated navigation. It wasn’t the design that necessarily made me favour this vehicle, but instead the thought of how it was helping the environment. As much as I enjoy going on festival road trips (especially ones that have to do with sustainable farming) I almost enjoyed the whole experience more knowing that we were using a green vehicle. All the worries about climate change and the environment aside, the Ford C-Max is still a perfect car for any young adult or college student who may struggle with raising gas prices. For me personally it’s definitely a vehicle I will consider purchasing in the future. 

Whatever your budget, adventure level, family size or environmental/social beliefs Ford Motors Canada is a great company making great cars. They not only helped make one of my big crazy ideas a reality and took a chance on me, but their standards on performance, safety, design and technological are among the highest in the automotive industry. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and would definitely recommend anyone looking to purchase or lease a new vehicle to head straight to your closest Ford dealership and test drive one of these models!