all-jeep parade Archives - Toledo Jeep® Fest 2025

Mercy Health and Jeep share legacy of service in Toledo

May 28, 2025

Mercy Health has been delivering compassionate, high-quality care in Toledo for 170 years — a legacy that continues to shape the health and well-being of our region. Just nearby, the Toledo Jeep complex has stood as a symbol of innovation and pride since 1941. These are not merely historic institutions; they are cornerstones of Toledo’s identity.

Mercy Health is honored to serve as the title sponsor of the 2025 Toledo Jeep Fest — a celebration of our city’s rich history and the people who bring that legacy to life every day. The employees of both Mercy Health and Jeep are more than workers — they are skilled, dedicated professionals who take deep pride in their work, knowing that their efforts have a lasting impact on the lives of their neighbors, families, and fellow community members.

At its core, Mercy Health’s mission has always been about service — caring for the sick, uplifting the vulnerable, and advancing the long-term well-being of our community. Likewise, Jeep’s founding purpose — to build a vehicle in service of our country during wartime — reflects those same values of commitment, resilience, and purpose. Together, these two institutions represent the very best of Toledo: a city built on hard work, shared values, and a deep responsibility to care for one another.

Share the legacy of service with other Toledoans during Toledo Jeep Fest (Aug. 1-3) in downtown Toledo.

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.

Expanded 2024 Toledo Jeep Fest Tops All Previous Benchmarks

November 4, 2024

Could it get bigger and be even more fun? Indeed, newly expanded Toledo Jeep_® Fest (TJF) No. 7 was the biggest and best event since the 2016 kickoff. More than 78,000 attendees from 40 states and 5 countries came to Toledo in 2024 to enjoy the All-Jeep_® Parade, Vendor Midway, Glass City Center Exhibit and Friday’s new Glass City Crawlers Block Party, attended by more than 200 jeeps.

While the 2016 event was expected to attract 20,000 attendees to northwest Ohio, on All-Jeep_® Parade Day (Saturday, August 6) Toledo hosted more than 40,000 people from around the Midwest and beyond.

Toledo Economic Boost in 2024

Bolstered by over 110 national and local vendors and 95 sponsors, Toledo Jeep_® Fest 2024 produced $5.9 million in economic activity for Toledo, Lucas County and Northwest Ohio during the weekend of August 1-4. If you are wondering what a simple parade in 2016 has evolved into, take a look at these numbers for 2024:

60,000+ ducks were distributed during the three-day festival.
6,800+ attended the Friday night Jordan Davis concert.
1,500+ people attended the Toledo Assembly Complex Family Day Party.
6,500+ children participated in the RC Course and Kids’ & Family Zones.
1,300+ Jeeps were part of the All-Jeep_® Parade throughout downtown Toledo.
1,300+ people participated in the 4-Mile Run and 1-Mile Walk.
6,000+ pounds of recyclables were collected.
600+ Jeeps traversed the obstacle course at the Welcome Party.
300+ TARTA bus rides were taken as part of the Toledo Jeep_® Fest Express.
300+ volunteers supported the 4-day festival.

“TJF offers an unparalleled urban adventure that’s unlike anything else in the country – and it’s right here in our backyard! This event brings together Jeep_® enthusiasts from all walks of life, creating a vibrant melting pot of passion and excitement. It’s thrilling to connect with – and experience – the energy of fellow attendees in such a dynamic setting,” said Anthony Grosser, New Brands Supervisor for Summit Racing Equipment.

Toledo, Ohio has been the Home of the Jeep_® for nearly nine decades, employing more than 6,000 skilled UAW Jeep_® workers. As the center of a strong and loyal Jeep_® community, the tri-state area of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana consists of more than 60 Jeep_® enthusiast clubs with approximately 1 out of every 5 registered vehicles in the region being a Jeep_®. Most of these vehicles are stock vehicles or lightly modified, offering a tremendous opportunity for Jeep_® aftermarket product manufacturers.

Getting Ready For TJF No. 8

The 2025 event on August 1, 2, 3 will be the 8th event since the inaugural TJF event in 2016. Event founders are striving to help TJF become the largest Jeep-related event in the United States. The weekend of August 1, 2025 will be action-packed, and thousands of Jeepers are expected to take part in the festivities – the All-Jeep_® Parade through downtown Toledo, a large-scale Vendor Midway, and much more.

“This was my fifth time attending Toledo Jeep_® Fest, and it gets better every year. I love the family-friendly vibe this event has. It’s amazing to watch a city like Toledo – with its rich history – coming together to celebrate the Jeep_® brand. Everything from the Convention Center exhibits and speaker series to the Overland Base Camp show just how passionate everyone is about the Jeeps, their heritage, and their legacy,” said Dean Shirley of East Coast Overland Adventures.

More Buzz After Amazing Toledo Jeep Fest

August 14, 2024

A blast from the past: Toledoan restores WWII-era Jeep_® for showcase at Toledo Jeep_® Fest

“I’ve always liked the old Jeeps. WWII, Korean era, stuff like that.”

And now, Toledoan Paul Cooper can call one his own.

“I didn’t know it was going to take me a little over four years to get it done, but it did and no regrets,” he said.

S ee more at WTOL.

A Jeep_® Lover’s Paradise: My Toledo Jeep_® Fest Takeover

A couple of Saturdays ago, I had the incredible honor of taking over the Toledo Jeep_® Fest Instagram account, and let me tell you, it was a dream come true! As a Toledo native and lifelong Jeep_® enthusiast, this experience was truly full circle.

For those unfamiliar, the Toledo Jeep_® Fest is an annual celebration of the iconic Jeep_® brand and its deep connection to our city. Every year, thousands of Jeep_® owners and enthusiasts gather in downtown Toledo for a weekend filled with parades, exhibits, live music, and good ol’ fashioned Jeep_® camaraderie.

Toledo Jeep_® Fest celebrates iconic brand, local workforce

Another year marked another weekend to celebrate a staple in downtown Toledo.

Wranglers, Gladiators and more rolled through the streets as Toledo Jeep_® Fest returned to the Glass City at the heart of the Jeep_® brand.

“For me, working at the event is really special,” Toledo Jeep_® Fest organizer Whitney Rofkar said. “I’m from Toledo, born and bred, and so to shine a bright light on the city I call home is really special.”

S ee more on WTOL.

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