Sir Walter Chevrolet Opens Dealership Property to Community Events

RALEIGH, North Carolina — An empty field owned by Sir Walter Chevrolet has been the dealership's biggest asset in attracting throngs of potential car buyers to its car lot.

Sir Walter regularly hosts community events at the field and uses the dealership parking lot and showroom for ancillary events.

The dealership is the venue and main sponsor of 919 Music Fest set for May 31. It will feature 10 bands on two stages, vendor booths, 13 food trucks, a beer garden, a kids' zone with a rock-climbing wall and bounce houses and an assortment of cars on display, including a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

"Even though it is a Sunday, we've asked our employees to wear their shirt and be prepared to answer any questions or help any way they can," Caroline Birckhead, community outreach director, told Edmunds.

The gathering has a charitable aspect. It raises money to benefit the 200 Club of Wake County, which helps families of fallen first responders in the area.

While the 919 Music Fest is a first for the dealership, two weeks ago it opened the field for a second consecutive year to a barbecue that raised money to support the Avon 39: Walk to End Breast Cancer. That event also featured live music, lawn games and volleyball.

"Since 1928 when my great grandfather opened the dealership, we've been helping our community any way we can," Birckhead said.

Edmunds says: A field of dreams is meant to be shared with the community.