Toledo Jeep Fest a drive down memory lane
Veterans, workers, officials flock to downtown for event
by Kyle Rowland -- Blade Staff Writer
In 1944, Dan Pinciotti drove Toledo-built Jeeps in the Philippines during World War II.
On Saturday, the 94-year-old Army veteran rode through downtown Toledo in a World War II-era Jeep during the Toledo Jeep Fest.
“I’m thrilled,” Mr. Pinciotti said. “It brings back a lot of good memories. This is the first parade I’ve been in in 20 years. When I was invited, I got real excited. This is a good thing for the community. Jeep is known all over the world and is a brand name even among young people.”
He was alongside fellow veteran Ali Talb, 82, who served in Korea and was a Jeep employee for 42 years. They were near the front of the four-block parade down Huron Street, which signaled the beginning of Jeep Fest, a celebration of Jeep’s 75th anniversary and its relationship with the city of Toledo that took months of planning.
A morning downpour and the threat of on-again, off-again rain showers weren’t going to keep Jill Fyock and thousands of other revelers away from downtown.
Mrs. Fyock came to Toledo from her Temperance home with her husband, who works for Ford. When the skies opened up about 10:30 a.m., they did not panic, even though they forgot to bring one of their five umbrellas.
They simply stood under an awning.
“Eh, it’s warm,” Mrs. Fyock said. “You’ll just get wet. At least it’s not snow. We drove our Jeep here with the top down. I’m sure it’s soaked now.”
The procession included more than 800 Jeeps of all years, models, colors, shapes, and sizes. Organizers believe every model year from 1941 to 2016 was present.
A series of U.S. armed services Jeeps were first in line. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Ohio) stood in a Jeep, waving to parade-goers who lined Huron Street, and a Lucas County Sheriff’s Office Jeep went by with its lights on. The Owens Corning Pink Panther and Muddy of Toledo Mud Hens fame also were spotted along the parade route.
“Jeep sets Toledo apart,” said Mrs. Fyock, who previously lived in Toledo. “It’s stood the test of time. It’s a source of pride. I can’t believe they haven’t done this before. Anytime you can get the community to rally around something positive is great.”
The event was targeted for the entire family, with Jeep shows, vendors, food trucks, children’s events, live music, and beer gardens.
Jeremy Heyerly brought five of his eight children to partake in the parade, view some displays, and “stop by a food truck or two,” he said, with approval from the kids.
“Hopefully they do this annually,” Mr. Heyerly, 47, added. “It helps bring some life to downtown. It’s always good to have events down here.”
When the old Jeep plant in North Toledo met a wrecking ball in 2007, one of the original smokestacks was saved, a move lauded by Miss Kaptur. The plant produced 11 million vehicles over nearly 100 years, and one of those workers was her father, Stephen.
Miss Kaptur wore his Kaiser Jeep employee badge — No. 2754 — Saturday as she commemorated Jeep’s history.
“What a turnout,” she exclaimed, saying the event was overdue and welcomed. “There have been different owners, but Jeep has always been in Toledo. Sometimes we take it for granted — today we celebrate it.”
She added that Toledo could do more to promote Jeep’s heritage in the city, its sales, and the future vision. And Miss Kaptur would like to showcase Jeep more forcefully with a museum or exhibit.
Jeep wasn’t the only company involved in Saturday’s downtown bonanza. Vendors made possible by Jeep’s creation were present throughout the area. One was Steer Smarts, which manufactures aftermarket heavy duty steering components for Jeep Wranglers.
Based in Montpelier in Williams County, Steer Smarts was founded about a year ago. Parent company Powers and Sons is an OE — original equipment — supplier for the Big Three.
“We’re able to be here and cater toward the Jeep crowd,” said Jay Velthoven, who works in marketing at Steer Smarts. “We gain exposure and public awareness. We’re an Ohio-based company, so this is our backyard. We try to support and get involved with local Jeep clubs.”