Tag: Downtown Toledo

Epic Willys Adventure Set To Arrive In Base Camp

June 4, 2025

The Epic Willys Adventure (EWA) group races classic jeeps around the country for gold coins and bragging rights. One of EWA’s upcoming events is the Great Mitten Race – an epic 7-day journey starting at the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, sweeping through Michigan’s outer Great Lakes and iconic Toledo, Ohio and then back to Butler, Pennsylvania.

Epic Willys Adventure 6 – the Great Mitten Race – will start at the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival on Thursday, June 5. By late afternoon, these jeeps will arrive in Toledo (10-12 teams in race jeeps) and will be camping at Middlegrounds Metropark in downtown Toledo – the Toledo Jeep Fest Basecamp.

The event will bring together 12 teams competing in EWA approved stock – 1941-1964 Willys Jeeps with lots of country, historic landmarks and a series of unique challenges to win the Great Mitten Race. This attraction is a slow-paced, high-energy celebration of Jeep Heritage, camaraderie and adventure.

EWA has been racing and adventuring since 2016, rolling from Canada to Mexico (2,135 miles), through the Great Divide (1,506 miles in 2018), Oregon Trail (1,888 miles in 2021), the Concord Cup (1,729 miles in 2023), the Moonshine Run (1,516 miles in 2024). This year’s event in June is the Great Mitten Race, rolling through scenic byways and farm roads in Michigan and then finally down to Toledo, Ohio.

Race commander Jonah Hodgkins recently told Toledo Jeep Fest that Toledo, Ohio – Home of the Jeep – will be a checkpoint during their Great Mitten Race to celebrate and prepare for Toledo Jeep Fest on Aug. 1-3.

Are there rules for the Epic Willys Adventure? Well, let’s start with rule No. 1 – No GPS Allowed! Only maps and compasses are permitted for race teams. Other Epic Willys Adventure rules include no use of Interstate Highways. Racers must stick to backroads, scenic byways and farm roads. No Excuses are a rule. Breaking down, getting lost and running out of fuel for these stock Willys vehicles (1941-1964) is part of the challenge. Self-reliant repairs are a staple of Epic Willys Adventure. If mechanical issues occur, teams are expected to handle repairs on their own.

Teams earn gold coins along the route. Coins are earned for finishing first for the day, arriving at a checkpoint, photographing a historical marker, capturing a photo of Bigfoot or an imaginary animal sighting, getting a photo with another Willys Jeep, and Good Samaritan Points for helping another team with mechanical repairs.

Register for Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp

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.

Toledo Jeep Fest Gets New Addition: Paws Playzone!

May 12, 2025

Calling all Jeep lovers and dog lovers: Toledo Jeep Fest is back this August, and it’s bringing something extra adorable along for the ride!


From August 1–3, Jeep fans will gather once again in downtown Toledo to celebrate everything Jeep: the vehicles, the community, the spirit of adventure. But this year, there’s a new addition we’re really excited about—introducing the Paws Playzone, a brand-new area just for our four-legged friends!


The Paws Playzone is the perfect place for pups to play, explore, and maybe even pick up a new trick or two. Sponsored by Rudolph Libbe Group and the Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio (AGCNWO), this space is designed to celebrate our most loyal co-pilots. Our new partner, Dale Carnegie, will also be a vendor in the playzone.

Expect a tail-wagging good time with:

  • Agility courses by Zoom Room Toledo
  • Custom Jeep-themed dog houses built by the talented students at Penta Career Center
  • Water stations to keep furry friends hydrated

Lucas County Canine Care & Control (LC4) will be onsite with adoptable dogs looking for loving homes. So, if you’ve been thinking about adding a new pup to your crew, this might just be your moment.


“Many Jeep enthusiasts are known for bringing their dogs along on every adventure — whether it’s hitting the trails or cruising to a festival like Toledo Jeep Fest. In the new Paws Playzone, we can show how agility training is a fantastic way to build your dog’s confidence and improve their fitness,” said Amanda Bebeau, Zoom Room Toledo.


All dogs are welcome to participate in the agility course. You’ll just have to sign a liability waiver first.


The Paws Playzone isn’t just fun and games, it’s also a celebration of the community spirit that makes TJF so special. “We’re proud to help shape the future of downtown Toledo,” says Sarah Helbig, Marketing Director at Rudolph Libbe Group. “Whether it’s building facilities like LC4 or sponsoring Paws Playzone, it’s about giving back to the place we call home.”


Of course, TJF 2025 has even more in store.  Check out the brand-new WaughStrong Competition, a strongman competition supporting mental health services for veterans and first responders. Plus, the All-Jeep Parade, the Vendor Midway, Indoor and Outdoor Jeep exhibits, a 4-Mile Run, and plenty of live entertainment, food trucks, and family fun zones.


Whether you’ve got a Jeep, a dog, or just a love of community events, TJF has something for everyone. Come for the Jeeps, stay for the pups—and be part of the adventure in the city where it all began: 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.