LaFontaine Chevrolet Holds End-of-Year Sale

Crowds of eager residents filled the showroom at in Dexter on Dec.  22 to catch a glimpse of W4 Country radio host Brian "Bubba" Cowan and the W4 team, and vie for a chance to win a pair of concert tickets during the radio station's prize giveaway.

Donning a red Santa suit, Cowan greeted fans at LaFontaine with a sack two times his size stuffed full of prizes including party packs of Lipton tea, CDs and electronics.

"We are giving out a bunch of cool prizes," he said.

Cowan said he enjoys meeting fans of the morning show as often as he can.

"I love it. When you're in the studio, you don't get to have that one-on-one interaction with listeners," he said. "It's a lot of fun to do this, especially at Christmas. Our prize closet was overflowing, so we needed to disburse these prizes."

After meeting with Cowan, fans were directed to draw numbers out of a hat to determine the order for picking their prize.

Brien Baumgartner, promotions director for W4 Country, said the station tries to reach out to its listeners by hosting several special appearances in various communities.

"It's all free stuff that we give out to people who show up," he said.

Baumgartner said this was the first time the station visited LaFontaine in Dexter.

"We did a similar event at the LaFontaine in Saline this month and the response was great," he said.

Colin Dagostine of Saline was one of the fans hoping to win concert tickets.

"I don't care what concert they are for, I'm just hoping to win," he said.

Shadrick Bennett, general sales manager for the dealership, said partnering with W4 Country helps promote the dealership's end-of-the-year sale.

"We're holding our year-end sales event through Jan. 3 and we do a lot of advertising on W4 Country, so we thought it would be nice to get 'Bubba' out here and kill two birds with one stone," Bennett said.

"We're excited that customers are coming to visit us here in Dexter," Bennett said.

Local resident Julie Glenn said she came out to look at prices on used minivans or SUV's.

"I have two small godchildren, and my pickup truck isn't feasible to transport them, so I thought the year-end sale would be a perfect time to come look at prices," she said.

Terry Stratos of Ann Arbor said he was shopping for a car for a friend.

"She's older and can't get around that much and her car is really old," he said. "I had some time to help her look, so that's what I've been doing."

Bennett said the dealership is expected to expand operations in 2011 by building a new 32,000 square foot building in place of two older buildings on the property. The new facility will include upgrades such as 22 service bays (versus its current nine), new landscaping and lighting, and storm water detention.

While some were attracted to the sales deals, the majority of the visitors stopped in to win a free prize.

Bob Jann and his son, Bradley, of Clinton, said they are long-time listeners of the "Breakfast with Bubba" show.

"It's cool to come out. I think it's great for the community," Jann said.

Dorie Nitz of Howell said she tries to attend several W4 Country events. Nitz's friend, Dawn Sprinkle, said she had a new car but she was hoping 'Bubba' would buy her a new Corvette.

"It's just something fun to do," she said.