County and local business leaders are looking forward to Toledo Jeep Fest, the seventh annual summer festival that brings thousands of visitors to the city.
With Jeep Fest 2024 rolling into Toledo on Aug. 2, Lucas County commissioners and partners of Jeep Fest announced at a news conference Monday the events taking place during the three-day festival.
Last year’s Jeep Fest saw 72,000 visitors from 40 states and countries, including Canada, Brazil, and Colombia, and more are expected for this year’s “better and wilder” Jeep Fest, said county commissioners Pete Gerken and Lisa Sobecki.
“That’s 72,000 people who spent money in our shops and restaurants, stayed in our hotels, and participated in all of the exciting events Jeep has to offer,” Ms. Sobecki said. “I spoke with one of those families that came to Jeep Fest for the very first time and they were on their phones, telling their neighbors and family members about how amazing Jeep Fest was and they better start listening.”
“It is truly the biggest event of the summer,” Mr. Gerken said. “This thing came together nine years ago. We didn’t know it was going to be what it turned out to be. What it turned out to be was something celebratory that got bigger and bigger.”
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority announced it will be offering three dollar rides to the event as part of its Jeep Fest Express from Starr Elementary in Oregon and Franklin Park Mall in West Toledo, which will give residents two locations to travel to and from Jeep Fest, said Laura Koprowski, CEO of the transit system.
“It’s really important for us to be able to have those two accessible locations across the county,” she said.
She said she’s excited to see families using the buses this year, which will have a “summertime” theme and the opportunity for TARTA to promote itself.
“People think that riding transit is for people in big cities,” Ms. Koprowski said. “Providing cheap and fast express [transportation] is like we’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to give exposure to just how easy and affordable it is to use transit for a lot of your trips.’”
Standard Jeep Fest attractions like the vendor midway will be starting earlier this year — on Thursday night instead of Friday, Mr. Gerken said.
To kick off the weekend, the Glass City Crawlers will host a block party on Friday, a Jeep Exhibit will open for the weekend, and a concert will be held at the Huntington Center that night, he said.
The All-Jeep Parade and Park-N-Shine will take place that Saturday, followed by an outdoor concert that night, he said.
The county commissioners said Jeep Fest is an opportunity for residents to celebrate the home of Jeep and the “heart” of Toledo.
“This is such a great way for Toledo to come together and celebrate their grit and work ethic that really defines our community,” Ms. Sobecki said.
First Published March 18, 2024, 6:44 p.m.