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Jeep Fest 2025 celebrates Toledo Jeep icon Bruce Baumhower

August 13, 2025

Former UAW Local 12 President and Co-Founder of the Toledo Jeep Fest – Bruce Baumhower – was brought to center stage during this year’s downtown event.

Awarded proclamations from the county commissioners, Toledo City Council and even a message from Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, naming August 5th 2025 officially as Bruce Baumhower Day.

Video and more detail at 13abc.

More from 13abc

Jeep Fest kickoff and History were also covered by 13abc.

WTOL

Event Director Whitney Rofkar joined WTOL‘s Good Day to set up 2025 Toledo Jeep Fest – an annual free festival celebrating northwest Ohio’s workforce with fun events and a parade.

WTOL shared Day Two coverage of the annual Toledo Jeep Fest on Saturday, Aug. 2, drawing thousands of visitors from across the country to celebrate the city’s Jeep heritage with food, festivities and fellowship.

WTOL: Downtown Toledo was buzzing with excitement as Jeep enthusiasts from across the country arrived for Toledo Jeep Fest, celebrating the city’s deep ties to the iconic SUV brand.

The Blade

The Blade tracked our overlanding enthusiasts – Epic Willys Adventure.

A weekend of fun: The Blade details Toledo jeep Fest No. 8.

The Blade: Dogs and Jeeps / Jeeps and Dogs – Details on the inaugural Paws Playzone.

The Blade: Photo Gallery of the All-Jeep Parade.

Overland Skills Area Continues Growth

August 11, 2025

East Coast Overland Adventures lead Dean Shirley returned again to showcase and share overlanding skills at the Glass City Center during Toledo Jeep Fest.

The “Off-Road and Overland Skills Area” showcased a mix of overland vehicles as well as a number of off-road and overland themed workshops. Shirley also spoke on the main stage in our Speakers Series.

Read a summary of Shirley’s great efforts during TJF 2025 in his great blog post at eastcoastoverlandadventures.com.

Med1Care Deepens Community Roots Through Toledo Jeep Fest Sponsorship

April 8, 2025

At Med1Care, delivering top-tier home health and therapy services across Northwest Ohio is just part of the story. Just as central to the organization’s mission is its unwavering dedication to the communities it serves. Through active involvement in local events and initiatives, Med1Care continues to invest in the health, happiness, and well-being of the region.

One event that truly captures the spirit of Northwest Ohio is Toledo Jeep Fest—a three-day celebration of Toledo’s historic connection to the Jeep® brand that draws more than 70,000 visitors downtown each August. With a mix of family fun, live entertainment, a massive parade of Jeeps, and a growing emphasis on health and fitness, Toledo Jeep Fest has become a signature event for the city—and a perfect opportunity for community-focused organizations like Med1Care to connect with the public.

Toledo Jeep Fest 4-Miler

For the second year running, Med1Care is proud to sponsor the Toledo Jeep Fest 4-Miler, an event that encourage movement, wellness, and togetherness. Runners, walkers, Jeep fans, and families of all ages come together to enjoy their festival weekend with energy and excitement—and Med1Care is right there to cheer them on.

“We are honored to be part of Toledo Jeep Fest once again,” said Kati Christner, Director of Nursing & Operations at Med1Care. “It’s such a special tradition in this region, and we love connecting with the community in a fun and meaningful way.”

Med1Care’s sponsorship goes beyond just putting its name on the event. Staff members are active participants on race day—welcoming attendees, handing out water, celebrating finishers, and sharing health tips and resources with festival-goers. It’s an authentic extension of the care Med1Care provides every day.

Supporting Local Events

This partnership with Toledo Jeep Fest is just one example of Med1Care’s broader commitment to community engagement. The organization is also a proud supporter of local events like Acoustics for Autism, job fairs, and health expos—efforts that allow the team to support meaningful causes while staying closely connected to the community.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the passionate, skilled professionals who make up Med1Care’s team. “Our staff is at the core of everything we do,” said Terri Evans, Clinical Director. “Their dedication allows us to deliver exceptional patient care while staying active and involved in the communities we serve.”

Whether it’s on the frontlines of healthcare or at the starting line of a 4-mile run, Med1Care is proud to be a part of what makes Toledo strong. With events like Toledo Jeep Fest bringing the city together in such a big way, Med1Care is honored to be along for the ride.

Media Partners Highlight New Additions to TJF 2025

March 14, 2025

The Blade (Article)

“On top of all of the festival’s staples, the planning committee is introducing two new activities, Ms. Rofkar said, one showcasing strength and the other featuring dogs.

The first is a strongman competition during the Glass City Crawlers Block Party on Aug. 1. It will be hosted by Marcus Waugh, a Toledo firefighter who won the World’s Strongest Firefighter strongman competition in 2024. “

“The second new feature is a playground area for dogs, which will include an agility course, watering station, and dog houses made by Penta Career Center students.”

13 ABC (Video)

“This year’s sponsor was announced as Mercy Health.

“It’s a celebration of partnership. What Mercy Health does here in Toledo is so much through partnership with the organizations that are represented here today and that we’re working with on Jeep Fest,” said Bob Baxter, president of Mercy Health Toledo.

Organizers laid out some of the new things to look forward to this year, including the Mud Hens being in town at the same time, a strongman competition and a dog agility contest.”

WTOL (Video)

“Healthcare giant Mercy Health has been named a new title sponsor for the fest.

“This is a great event for our city,” said Pete Gerken, chairman of the Jeep Fest board of directors. “It celebrates the history of the Jeep, which is made right here in Toledo, and the fine people who build these vehicles. It brings together people from all over the region and country and is made possible because of partnerships with others in the community.”

BCSN (Video)

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, Lucas County commissioners, and other city leaders announced the return of Toledo Jeep Fest for its eighth year at a news conference Wednesday. Toledo Jeep Fest will be from Aug. 1-3 in downtown Toledo.

Bob Baxter, president of Mercy Health Toledo announced the return of Mercy Health as the Presenting Sponsor, which it did for the first Toledo Jeep Fest in 2016.

Jeep Vibes & Open Rides: Toledo Jeep Fest 2025 is Rolling In

March 12, 2025

TOLEDO (March 12, 2025) – Toledo Jeep Fest (TJF) returns to the Glass City for its eighth year to celebrate the legacy of Jeeps while welcoming Mercy Health as the new title sponsor.

An annual celebration of the iconic Jeep brand and its deep-rooted connection to our city, TJF brings together Jeep enthusiasts from across the nation. It will be rolling into town August 1-3, showcasing the rich history of Jeeps in the community and highlighting the latest advancements in off-road adventure.

This year’s festival will also feature the exciting announcement of Mercy Health as the new title sponsor – bringing together two of the community’s longest serving and most trusted names in Toledo.

“At Mercy Health, our mission is rooted in improving the lives of every patient we serve – mind, body, and spirit. We are dedicated to continually enhancing the care we provide and ensuring our community receives the highest level of support,” said Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health – Toledo. “As an organization deeply committed to the well-being of Toledo, we are proud to be a part of Toledo Jeep Fest and show our ongoing dedication to the people who call this community home.”

Toledo Jeep Fest, presented by Mercy Health, will feature a variety of attractions over a period of three days, beginning on Friday, August 1. The festivities kick off in the evening with the opening of the Vendor Midway and Indoor Jeep Exhibit presented by KeyBank, along with the Glass City Crawlers Block Party.

The fun continues Saturday with the All-Jeep Parade, along with the Vendor Midway, Outdoor Park-N-Shine sponsored by Directions Credit Union, and Indoor Jeep Exhibit. The day will also feature live entertainment, food trucks, and dedicated Kids and Family Zones in partnership with Imagination Station and Hensville Park.

On Sunday, the festival wraps up with the 4-Mile Run presented by Med1Care, and a 1-Mile Walk sponsored by Mobis.

This free, family-friendly festival has something for everyone and is open to all ages.

“As one of the founding sponsors of Toledo Jeep Fest, the UAW is delighted to see Mercy Health return as the title sponsor,” said Bruce Baumhower, UAW Local 12 president & member of the TJF Board of Directors. “Mercy Health’s ongoing commitment is instrumental in supporting our membership and reinforcing Toledo Jeep Fest as one of the region’s premier events.”

Whitney Rofkar, TJF’s event director added, “As this event continues to grow and draw more Jeepers from out of town, we recognized a desire to have the event start earlier, to give folks more opportunities to participate in all of Toledo Jeep Fest’s activities, and to enjoy all that downtown Toledo has to offer.”



The weekend will be packed with people celebrating their love for Jeep vehicles and the adventurous lifestyle they embody – all in the city where the Jeep was born and where its spirit thrives every day: Toledo.

In 2024, more than 78,000 people attended the event from 40 different states and numerous countries.

“This is a great event for our city. It celebrates the history of the Jeep, which is made right here in Toledo, and the fine people who build these vehicles,” said Pete Gerken, Lucas County Commissioner and Chairman of the TJF Board of Directors. “It brings together people from all over the region and country and is made possible because of partnerships with others in the community.”

Community support is what fuels Toledo Jeep Fest. That starts with Mercy Health and extends to organizations that have provided funds or services to support the event each year. Complete list to follow.

To make the festival more accessible for all, TARTA will be returning as the official transportation partner, offering a TARTA Jeep Fest Express that will take folks from multiple locations around the city to the heart of the downtown festival. Franklin Park Mall and Star Elementary in Oregon will both be TARTA stop locations again, and service will run both Saturday and Sunday.

You can find more details on the event at Toledo Jeep Fest.com or on Facebook, X, and Instagram.