Tag: Downtown Toledo

Epic Willys Adventure Will Roll Through Toledo

February 26, 2025

A stalwart group of Willys Jeep owners who believe in no GPS, no interstates and no excuses will share the stage with Toledo Jeep Fest this summer.

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.

The June 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.

Epic Runs Set Up Great Mitten

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.

Rules/No Rules and Gold Coins

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.

Follow the adventure throughout the year at Epic Willys Adventure on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Rolling Through Toledo

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.

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.

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

July 31, 2024

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

May 24, 2024

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