Category: Announcements

Dutch off-road enthusiast Willem van Holten, 68, will make an epic road trip of more than 25,000 miles in 80 days from June until September this summer, which will include a stop at Toledo Jeep Fest August 12-14.

Van Holten is having his 2018 Jeep Wrangler shipped from The Netherlands to Charleston, South Carolina to begin his trek that will roll from Charleston to Alaska, to Ohio and then back to Charleston.

Van Holten has been a jeeper for over 40 years and is the founder of the original Dutch Jeep Club and he is still president of the European Jeepers Jamboree.

He worked for more than 30 years as a representative for Bestop, a leading manufacturer of premium soft tops for Jeep Wranglers and CJs and the exclusive provider of OE soft tops for Jeep Wranglers.

Here are just a few of the waypoints of the 25,000-mile trip that van Holten will track on his website (he will post images and videos daily):  

• Arches National Park – Moab, Utah
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Grants Pass, Oregon
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Fairbanks, Alaska
• Billings, Montana
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Toledo, Ohio
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Charleston, South Carolina

Van Holten says that he will avoid as much as possible Interstate routes and highways, opting for backroads, dirt roads and off-road paths. He will also have a live satellite tracking system where everybody can see his route and hopefully connect with other Jeepers. Look for The Netherlands plates on his red Wrangler JL during Toledo Jeep Fest!

Happy Earth Day from our proud “Going Green” Sponsor Republic Services!

Republic Services will lead our efforts and coordinate with Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Inc. to make the upcoming (Aug. 12-14) event our most green yet!

Metroparks Toledo is pleased to partner with Toledo Jeep Fest to create the first-ever Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp experience to promote and highlight Jeep Overlanding. This muti-day experience will be offered at Middlegrounds Metropark, an urban oasis on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, near the Toledo Jeep Fest event footprint. Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp will feature campsites for both overlanding and traditional camping plus daily events and activities.

Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp Amenities

• 8 Stall Portable Shower Trailer
• Restroom Facilities
• Rotary Roundhouse
• Open Air Shelter
• 1.5 Mile Walk / Bike Path
• Veo Bike & Scooter Share Hub
• Kayak Cove Launch Area
• Walking / Riding Distance to more than 50 Restaurants and Attractions
• Access to Middlegrounds Off-Leash Dog Area

Base Camp Programming & Special Activities

• Friday (Aug. 12): Outdoor Movie Night
• Saturday (Aug. 13): Pig Roast with Live Music
• Sunday (Aug. 14): Outdoor Skills Expo (at Glass City Metropark)

At the Outdoor Skills Expo, everyone will have the opportunity to try out a mobile rock climbing wall – plus tree climbing, archery, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking, Kids’ Zone, and much, much more. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion—regardless of ability. Adaptive equipment will be readily available. Food trucks and music will be on site.

Jeep Overlanding Sites – Less than 20 available!

Base Camp is designed to promote and highlight Jeep overlanding. The goal of overlanding is to become reliant on your vehicle for transportation and shelter in order to enjoy the nature around you. Base Camp will offer a unique urban overlanding experience with limited overlanding sites located beneath the Anthony Wayne Bridge.

Each overlanding site is 15×30 and can accommodate groups of up to 8 guests. Each site offers the following: space for one Jeep overlanding vehicle and room for one additional tent (up to 10×10). Guest may bring a portable grill 18 to 20 inches in diameter.

Traditional Tent Camping Sites – Less than 30 available!

Spend the night under the stars in a safe urban setting at this small riverside park. Tent sites are featured along the river and on the main lawn next to the Rotary Roundhouse shelter.

Each campsite is 15×15 and can accommodate groups of up to 6 guests. Each site offers the following: space for one 10×10 tent. Guest may bring a portable grill 18 to 20 inches in diameter

**No RVs will be permitted at Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp. There are no electrical or waste connection available for Jeep overlanding sites or traditional tent camping sites.

Make Your Reservations

Make your reservation. Visit metroparkstoledo.com/jeepfest or call 419-407-9724. Check-in at 3 p.m./check-out at Noon.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The 2022 Toledo Jeep Fest will be adorned with a red, white and blue “patriotic theme.”

As ProMedica and Dana Incorporated return as title sponsors, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority will be featured as the first official transportation sponsor.

Read the full feature at WNWO 24.

Photo – Doug Hinebaugh