The Saint-Tite Western Festival With Ford

From behind the wheel of Ford’s diesel engine F-150, we packed our Western-inspired outfits and headed East towards Saint-Tite.

One of the most interesting qualities of the engine besides its powerful 3.0L V6 Power Stroke Turbo is that it is extremely quiet for its type. The F-150 cruised smoothly down the highway and along the small streets of Saint-Tite. Efficiency is also embedded within the truck as it is matted with an electronic 10-speed transmission. To round out the driving experience, there are selectable driving modes (Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect and Sport) that adapts the F-150 according to current road conditions.

While most would attribute a rigid aesthetic to the F-150 because of its attachment to manual labour; you would be surprised how well-appointed the interior is. We have always appreciated the 8-inch productivity screen with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system and how easy it is to use the voice commands. The plush leather seating with an available massage option injected us with a sense of relief as soon as we hopped into cabin.

When we arrived to our destination with the F-150, we felt right at home. The resident’s appreciation for the Ford was obvious and they were quick to point out details like the satin chrome grille and the 20-inch aluminum wheels. We also stopped by the Ford area, where festival-goers could get a closer look at their latest vehicles and also have some fun posing for pictures in front of them.

For a small town in rural Quebec, Saint-Tite has all the charming characteristics that anyone who visits would expect to see. A nineteenth century church dominates the centre of the town square, there are neat rows of houses with similar facades sitting side-by-side, while local and artisanal shops are dotted throughout the main street.

An amazing phenomenon happens every September in Saint-Tite. Its population of four thousand balloons for nearly two weeks. That is because for fifty-one years, their annual Western Festival has drawn over hundreds of thousands of visitors from every part of the world to the town. Even if you are not versed in the culture, you will still enjoy the authentic Country shows and the festive atmosphere.

During this time, professional cowboys step into the arena and compete in several rodeo events that put their skills to the test. The energy is electric and it is packed with fans cheering the cowboys on. We recommend that you pay close attention, as you can miss the action as soon as the cowboys come out from the chute. It could end in a matter of seconds.

Learn more about the Ford F-150 here.

If you plan on visiting the Saint-Tite Western Festival, you can check it out here.

Words and Photography: Jon Carlo Tapia