Tag: Downtown Toledo

Expanded 2024 Toledo Jeep Fest Tops All Previous Benchmarks

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

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.

See 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.

Read more at Shana Was Here.

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.”

See more on WTOL.

Talking Toledo Jeep Fest

Toledo Jeep Fest expected to draw 72,000

It’s almost the time when Jeeps and Jeepers take over downtown Toledo to celebrate the city’s iconic product.

The four-day Toledo Jeep Fest kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday with a Jeep off-road course welcome party and concludes on Sunday afternoon. Between the start and finish, the major events at the festival include an indoor exhibit at Glass City Center with 100 vehicles on display, a parade of Jeeps, a rock-crawling course, a Jeep-themed four-mile run and one-mile walk, a block party thrown by the Glass City Crawlers, and a free concert by Mark Farner’s American Band.

Read more in The Blade.

Everyone is welcome at unique Toledo Jeep bar 

You know you’re at the right place when you see the rusty 1974 Jeep CJ with a bullet hole in its windshield parked out front.

That place is Wheelin’ On The Rocks, a thoroughly Jeep-themed bar located on West Laskey Road between Secor and Douglas roads.

Read more in The Blade.

WTOL Good Day – Here’s what to expect Toledo Jeep Fest 2024 

Whitney Rofkar talks Toledo Jeep Fest 2024, which kicks off Thursday (Aug. 1).

See more on WTOL.

13ABC’s The Nine Covers Toledo Jeep Fest 2024 

What You Need to Know About Toledo Jeep Fest

Toledo Jeep Fest Merch

Start Your Engines

See more on 13abc.

Mark Farner’s American Band headlines Saturday at Toledo Jeep Fest

Grand Funk Railroad founder Mark Farner’s American Band will play in downtown Toledo on Saturday night (Aug. 3) of Toledo Jeep Fest.

HB Concerts Inc. will present this 6:30 p.m. show (doors open at 4:30 p.m.) as part of their Promenade Pavilion concert series.

Farner was the original singer and songwriter of Grand Funk Railroad which produced classics like We’re an American Band, Are You Ready and I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home).

There will be DJs and entertainment each day of Toledo Jeep Fest, beginning with our Thursday (Aug. 1) Jeep Off-Road Course Welcome Party hosted by Monroe Superstore in Monroe Michigan.

On Friday, August 2, join us in downtown Toledo for the Glass City Crawlers Block Party and the opening of the Vendor Midway! Find the complete schedule of events.

Get Tickets for Mark Farner’s American Band

Toledo Jeep Fest is 3-Days of Downtown Fun

Toledo Jeep Fest has 3 days of downtown fun on August 2, 3, and 4 this year. To help you understand each day we will break down key events so that you can plan your trek. The key thing to understand is that Thursday, Aug. 1 is celebrated at Monroe Superstore in Monroe, Michigan and Friday through Sunday happen in the Home of Jeep – Toledo.


Day 1 – Friday, Aug. 2

Glass City Crawlers Block Party – On Friday, August 2 (6-10 p.m.), our partners are hosting a massive invasion of downtown Toledo – generously sponsored by Jeep Country Federal Credit Union – with the epicenter at the corner of Adams and Superior Streets (430 N. Superior St.). The parking lot across from the Valentine Theater will host awesome Jeep demonstrations, car crushing, specialized vendors and more. This year, we want to see 1,000+ Jeeps lining the streets on Friday! Our Glass City Center Indoor Exhibit presented by Key Bank is open 6 to 10 p.m., which includes the RC Rock Crawling Course presented by Lathrop.

Vendor Midway – Early Opening – This year, our vast Vendor Midway driven by Rouen – including more than 70 local and national vendors will begin in lockstep with the Glass City Crawlers Block Party. The Vendor Midway will be open for visitors on Friday, August 2 from 6-10 p.m.  


Day 2 – Saturday, Aug. 3

This is parade day! The All-Jeep Parade driven by Yark Jeep and the Outdoor Park-N-Shine presented by Directions Credit Union both begin at 10 a.m. Staging for both these events will begin as early as 8 a.m. The Vendor Midway will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our Glass City Center Indoor Exhibit presented by Key Bank is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., which includes the RC Rock Crawling Course and our Speakers Series (presented by NW Ohio AGC). Both the Kids’ Zone (presented by Jennite & Lucas County Children Services) and Family Zone (presented by Cenovus Energy) are open, as well as entertainment and food trucks.


Day 3 – Sunday, Aug. 4

The MOBIS 1 Mile Walk (9:15 a.m.) and the 4 Mile Run (9:30 a.m.) hosted by Run Toledo begin in the morning. The Vendor Midway hours will be 9 a.m. to noon and vendors will be offering unique sales and discounts. Our Glass City Center Indoor Exhibit presented by Key Bank is open 9 a.m. to noon, which includes the RC Rock Crawling Course. Both the Kids’ Zone and Family Zone are open, as well as entertainment and food trucks.

Here is a complete schedule of events for Toledo Jeep Fest weekend.