More than 70,000 Jeep enthusiasts from as far away as the Czech Republic turned out for the annual Jeep Fest in Toledo, Ohio, where the rugged sport utility vehicles are produced.
“Though each installment of Toledo Jeep Fest has been a major success, the 2019 event was the largest to date,” the organizers reported.
“With 100+ local and national vendors, and 66 sponsors, the event generated $5.6 million in economic activity during event weekend.”
More than 1,400 Jeep vehicles participated in the parade and a 20-block car show. Also featured was the new Jeep Gladiator pickup truck.
Primary sponsors of the weekend are ProMedica and Dana Incorporated, a major Jeep supplier, and Dana’s Jeff Cole noted that, “Dana and Jeep have been together since the beginning. Our employees are so proud of our historic association with Jeep drivelines and they’re excited to show off the work we’ve been doing with our custom aftermarket Jeeps.”
Speaking of the aftermarket, the Jeep Fest included a vendor midway featuring Mopar, Omix-ADA, Alpine, Bartact, Bestop and others.
“The vendor midway has turned into one of the most popular attractions at Toledo Jeep Fest,” Jerry Huber, Jeep Fest organizers, was quoted in the news release. “Jeep enthusiasts travel from miles away to visit the home of the Jeep, so we want to make sure the leading brands that Jeepers know and love are displayed at our event.”
“We always have high expectations for the event, and this year the event exceeded in delivering on that expectation,” said Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing for Omix-ADA. “The crowd that came out was excellent and allowed us to show some of our newer products for the Jeep enthusiasts.”
The weekend program also included a display of more than 100 historic Jeeps in the SeaGate Centre and a speaker series featured Toledo native Taylor Langhals, now a FCA designer and responsible for the design of the Gladiator pickup truck.
Jeep Fest has grown into a festival that reaches beyond just Jeeps. There are special family and children’s programs at the Imagination Station, Toledo Zoo and Toledo Museum of Art, fireworks after the Toledo Mud Hens baseball games, and more than 7,000 people participated in a 4-mile run
I had an old 4 cylinder , ww2 jeep many years ago . The top speed was about 45 miles per hour , and it could go anywhere . I’m looking for another one .
so let me get this right. You watch a parade of the same vehicle go past for hours ?
Was there a Red Grand Cherokee that looked like it was just washed?
I always liked the old Wrangler YJ’s and TJ’s. After that they started coming as a 4-door and it just got too big and expensive. My parents used to have a TJ that was a lot of fun