EDITORIAL

Long live Jeep Fest

Jeeps parade down North Huron Street for Jeep Fest in Toledo on Aug. 13, 2016.

Nothing is more inherently Toledo than Jeep. Born here, built here, beloved here, even Chrysler executives have noted that Toledo is Jeep’s “spiritual home.”

Nothing demonstrated the city’s love for its signature brand like 2016’s inaugural Jeep Fest, which drew 40,000 people downtown to celebrate Jeep’s 75th anniversary.

RELATED: 2018 Toledo Jeep Fest halfway to fundraising goal

Now, fund-raising is underway for the 2018 return of the festival, which promises to be even bigger and better. Organizers are halfway to their $300,000 goal and hope to attract 60,000 visitors — and 2,000 Jeeps — to the three-day August event.

The first Jeep Fest focused on Jeep’s rich history. The sequel promises to focus on the brand’s future.

Jeep is set to launch the next generation Wrangler just a few months before the festival. And the company also is preparing to build a Wrangler-based truck in the Toledo Assembly Complex.

Not only does Jeep owe a great deal to Toledo, but the Toledo region owes much to Jeep as well. Building Jeeps helped build this region, so it is only right that we have a special affinity for the vehicles.

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It also is only right that a celebration of Jeep be an event fueled by community pride. Planners have designed the event to appeal not only to the aficionados likely to travel here for a Jeep-centric event, but to cater to local families as well with a parade and entertainment.

Jeep Fest is a perfect way for Jeep to appreciate Toledo and Toledo to appreciate Jeep. With luck and hard work, the event will grow and become a regular tradition.