Toledo Jeep Fest

Toledo Jeep Fest
FrequencyAnnually
VenueGlass City Center and streets of Downtown Toledo
Location(s)Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
InauguratedAugust 13, 2016
Most recentAugust 1–3, 2025
Next eventAugust 2026
Attendance78,000 (2024)
SponsorsStellantis North America
Mercy Health
UAW
Dana Incorporated

Toledo Jeep Fest is an annual festival held in Toledo, Ohio, in celebration of the Jeep brand of sport utility vehicles. The three-day event includes a street fair, a car show featuring rare and historic Jeep vehicles, and a parade of more than 1,000 Jeeps.[1][2]

History

The first Toledo Jeep Fest was a one-day event held on August 13, 2016, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the original Willys MB, the first "Jeep" vehicle, built in Toledo.[3] It was organized by a group led by UAW Local 12, which represents workers at the Toledo Assembly Complex, where Jeep vehicles have been assembled since 1941.[4][5] Roughly 40,000 attended the inaugural event, and over 1,000 Jeeps took part in its parade.[5]

Following a hiatus in 2017, Toledo Jeep Fest returned as a two-day festival in August 2018.[6][7][8] It was also held over two days in 2019, with 70,000 in attendance.[9][10] A planned 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] Since 2021, Toledo Jeep Fest has been held over three days on either the first or second weekend of August.[12]

Events

Toledo Jeep Fest is held on the streets of Downtown Toledo, with some events taking place indoors at the Glass City Center.[13] Most downtown streets are closed to traffic during the festival, with vendors on Jefferson, St. Clair and Summit Streets, and vehicles displayed on the other streets.[14] A parade of Jeeps is held downtown on the Saturday morning of the festival weekend. Inside the Glass City Center, a collection of rare, vintage, and concept Jeep vehicles is displayed.[15]

The festival has no admission charge. The 2024 edition was reportedly attended by 78,000.[16]

During the festival weekend, the Toledo Mud Hens play at nearby Fifth Third Field under the name "Toledo Mud Crawlers" in reference to Jeep, and offer Jeep-themed promotional giveaways to game attendees.[9][16][17]

References

  1. ^ "Case Study: Toledo Jeep Fest". Thread Connected Marketing. 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  2. ^ McClure, Isobel (2025-08-02). "All things Jeep take over Toledo". The Blade. Archived from the original on 2025-08-03.
  3. ^ "It's a Jeep Thing". Downtown Toledo. 2016. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  4. ^ Snavely, Brent (2016-04-25). "Toledo tees up celebration for Jeep's 75th anniversary". Detroit Free Press.
  5. ^ a b Linkhorn, Tyrel (2016-08-16). "Jeep Fest drives up business in downtown". The Blade. Archived from the original on 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  6. ^ Linkhorn, Tyrel (2017-08-10). "Jeep Fest to roar back in 2018 after a year off". The Blade. Archived from the original on 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  7. ^ Wendler, Andrew. "Jeep Fest 2018 Invades Toledo". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  8. ^ "Toledo Jeep Fest 2018—The View from Above". Midstory. 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  9. ^ a b Clark, Traci (2019-10-08). "2019 Toledo Jeep Fest". MotorTrend. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  10. ^ Schneider, Jeremy (2021-01-27). "It's back! Jeep Fest organizers officially announce 2021 dates". WTVG. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  11. ^ "Organizers cancel 2020 Toledo Jeep Fest due to COVID-19 concerns". WTVG. 2020-04-30. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  12. ^ Chavez, Jon (2021-01-27). "Toledo Jeep Fest announces 2021 return dates". The Blade. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  13. ^ Lowndes, Lily (2025-08-02). "Toledo Jeep Fest 2025: Weekend schedule, events, and all things Jeep!". WTVG. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  14. ^ Taylor, Lydia (2025-07-29). "City of Toledo announces road closures for Jeep Fest". Spectrum News 1 Ohio. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  15. ^ Bleyer, Maggee (2025-07-25). "Your 2025 Toledo Jeep Fest guide". WTOL. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  16. ^ a b Trumm, James (2025-07-27). "Jeep Fest brings a weekend of fun to downtown Toledo". The Blade. Archived from the original on 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  17. ^ Caputo, Paul (2025-02-21). "Toledo Mud Hens to honour Jeep heritage with Mud Crawlers alternate". SportsLogos.net. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
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