Tag: Downtown Toledo

Toledo Jeep Fest is 3-Days of Downtown Fun

May 8, 2024

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.

Revving Up For Toledo Jeep Fest 2024!

March 21, 2024

The Toledo Jeep Fest team made some big announcements last week during a press conference at downtown partner restaurant Tony Packo’s. Check out some of the coverage.

What’s new this year?

Welcome Party hosted by Monroe Superstore – It’s starting early! On Thursday, August 1 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jeepers will be celebrating the start of an epic weekend. The dealership’s obstacle course has 18 features that won’t disappoint, and our friends at Misfit Jeepers will be making sure you have tons of fun while staying safe! Also, there will be great food trucks, Jeep-related vendors, music and more. Check out the full run of show. 

While most of the Fest happens in downtown Toledo, Monroe Superstore’s Welcome Party – located 25 miles north of downtown – makes for a great drive and jumpstart to the weekend-long festivities. Don’t miss it!

Glass City Crawlers Block Party – On Friday, August 2, our partners are hosting a massive invasion of downtown – 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! Meanwhile …

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 starting at 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. On Saturday, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sunday, the hours will be 9 a.m. to noon and vendors will be offering unique sales and discounts.  

Photo: Dougiefresh Photography

Overlanders: Get Ready for Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp

March 19, 2024

Metroparks Toledo is pleased to once again partner with Toledo Jeep Fest to open a pop-up Jeep Overlanding site at Middlegrounds Metropark called Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp.

Middlegrounds will once again host Jeep Overlanders during Toledo Jeep Fest Weekend on Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4 offering an overnight opportunity at the park, conveniently located less than a mile from the Toledo Jeep Fest event footprint and more than 50 downtown restaurants and attractions. Find more information on the Metroparks Toledo page.

Toledo Jeep Fest Base Camp is a nod toward the future when Metroparks makes camping a permanent part of downtown with the completion of Glass City Metropark campground.

Jeep Overlanding Sites [$80 for two nights ($40 per night) [Friday & Saturday]  

Register For Base Camp

Ohio Magazine: 4 Reasons to Visit Toledo This Year

March 8, 2024

Ohio Magazine names Toledo Jeep Fest as one of the four best reasons to visit Toledo this year.

“Each summer, 1,500 Jeeps in a wide range of models, colors and custom designs line up and parade through downtown during Toledo Jeep Fest’s signature event. Highly customized Jeeps as well as those seen on the road every day from Cherokees to Patriots to Wranglers gather to pay homage to the city’s role as the birthplace of the beloved vehicle.”

Read the entire article.

The Toledo School for the Arts Celebrates Jeep’s 80th Anniversary

July 9, 2021

Toledo, Ohio—The Toledo School for the Arts has partnered with the Toledo Jeep Fest to create a tangible representation of how Jeep has touched the lives of those in the Toledo area. This spring, TSA began their “Art Grille Masters” program and connected students with area mentors to create works of art from Jeep grilles.

The Toledo School for the Arts has a unique connection with the history of Jeep in Toledo. They are currently located in the historical building at 333 14th Street in Toledo, Ohio erected in 1916 by the Willys-Overland Company to finish, ship, and sell their domestic cars. The Toledo School for the Arts has allowed this location to continue to be a center for innovation and excellence. TSA moved into the building in 2004 and the building has been their home ever since. This nationally ranked, community public school for 6th- 12th grade students is known for its transformative model of educating young people.

As they worked to honor the historic milestone for Jeep, Toledo Jeep Fest was glad to partner with TSA as they work to continue the legacy started by Jeep so many years ago. The partnership with the school just felt natural to Whitney Rofkar, Toledo Jeep Fest, Event & Development Director.

“We were glad to partner with the Toledo School for the Arts to celebrate Jeep’s eightieth anniversary. The Toledo Jeep Fest is always looking for ways to incorporate the things that make Toledo special, and the Toledo School for the Arts is one of them. We would like to see this kind of partnership continue in the future,” said Rofkar.

Their connection with Toledo’s Jeep history makes it a perfect fit for the students to work to create these art pieces. The school has connected 13 students with 12 mentors to develop a program that helps the students create pieces for their portfolios. The mentors include local artists, musicians, educators and many others who either have connections to the art or Jeep world. The students range from Sophomores to recent alumni.

“Working with Toledo Jeep Fest has allowed our students to incorporate fun and community spirit by volunteering their time to help make the weekend a success. This Art Grille Master’s partnership is the next natural step in the process. It has been amazing watching the students work with their mentors and to see what they have created together,” said Director of Development, Dave Gierke. Gierke is also mentoring one of the students this year. These pieces will be auctioned off online as a fundraiser for the school. The grilles are available for purchase via online auction at www.biddingowl.com/ToledoSchoolfortheArts starting in July. The auction will be open until 3 pm on August 8.