Good morning, Toledo!
Toledo is buzzing with energy this week, from downtown's exciting new additions to a family's impressive Jeep collection rolling into town. Whether you're craving Latin rhythms on the riverfront, curious about local wellness wisdom, or ready to explore everything from comedy battles to haunted literary gatherings, this weekend proves our city knows how to blend community spirit with unforgettable experiences.
Were Giving Away Toledo Rockets Football Tickets!
On Monday, we asked whether you would attend a Toledo Rockets game if we gave away free tickets and 95% of you said “Absolutely!”
So, we’re making it happen.
The Toledo Dispatch is giving away 24 tickets to a Toledo Rockets game this season! Six winners will each receive four tickets, so you can bring your family or friends along for the game.
How to Win
This is not a random drawing, it’s a referral competition.
The six readers who get the most people to sign up for The Toledo Dispatch newsletter between now and September 17th will each win four tickets.
Share your unique referral link below with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, fellow Rockets fans, or anyone else who wants to stay connected to what is happening around Toledo. Every new subscriber who signs up through your link will count toward your total.
The six winners will be announced in the Friday, September 18 edition of The Toledo Dispatch.
24 tickets. Six winners. Four tickets each.
Start sharing your referral link today, and you could be heading to a Toledo Rockets game on us!
Your Personalized link: {{rp_refer_url}}
News
Downtown Toledo Gets Fresh Faces
Downtown Toledo is welcoming a wave of new businesses this summer. Okun Market will bring groceries to the historic Huron Yards building, while Dough & Co PizzAria takes over the former Hamburger Mary's space on North Huron. Sun Federal Credit Union is also opening a full-service branch at the St. Vincent Medical Center campus, adding banking options near the heart of the city.
Family Jeep Collection Rolls Into Fest
The Baumans are bringing three generations of restored military Jeeps to Toledo Jeep Fest next weekend at the Glass City Center. Their collection includes a junkyard-rescued ambulance, an M715 cargo truck, and a rare mechanical mule, all built right here in Toledo. It's a family tradition rooted in mechanics, history, and the kind of community that only comes from loving something together.
Community Spotlight
Wellness Wisdom from Local Experts
Six Toledo-area health professionals recently shared their best advice for looking and feeling your best in 2026. From daily sunscreen and hydration to gut health and joyful living, the message is clear: small habits matter, and true confidence starts from within.
Whether it's a dermatologist emphasizing rest, an orthodontist championing smiles, or a wellness studio owner celebrating differences, these voices remind us that health is both personal and communal.
Twin Artists, One Atomic Vision
If you've seen that giant Mr. Atomic sign on Reynolds Road, you've found Mark and Michael Kersey. The identical twin painters share a studio at Common Space Community Center, where they've been creating bold, colorful work for over 50 years. They paint separately but critique together, blending Beatles-inspired creativity with a commitment to never repeating themselves.
City Updates
ShotSpotter Still Running Without Payment
Toledo stopped paying for its ShotSpotter gunshot detection system over a month ago, but the alerts keep coming and police keep responding. The $213,000 annual contract for East and North Toledo expired June 24, yet the company continues providing service while negotiating next steps with city leadership. Officers say the system has been effective for evidence collection and quick response times.
Fallen Timbers Gets Fresh Start
The Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee just changed hands, with new owners planning an $89 million redevelopment. The developers behind Columbus's Easton Town Center are taking over, aiming to transform the half-empty mall into a mixed-use destination with housing, dining, and office space. Current tenants are hopeful but realistic about the timeline ahead.
Events This Week
Latin Rhythms Take Over Toledo's Riverfront
Party in the Park: Latin Night River & Rhythm (Rio y Ritmo Fest)
Friday 8 PM
Promenade Park, International Park, and Riverwalk
Experience an evening of Latin music across three riverfront venues featuring Los Aztecas, Dezeo, La Nueva Onda, and Grupo Real, plus food trucks and cold beer, all free and open to the public.
Comedy Showdown: 32 Comics Battle for Midwest's Funniest Title
The Crumbley Cup
Friday 7-11 PM
Toledo Spirits Company, Downtown Toledo
Watch 32 comedians compete head-to-head in rapid-fire 60-second sets at this sold-out sensation's latest tournament—two showtimes, 50 seats each, so grab yours now.
Light Up Your Friday Night in Downtown Toledo
Friday Night Lights in Ostrich Alley
Friday · 9:00 PM
Ostrich Towne, Downtown Toledo
Kick off your weekend with live music, glowing lights, and vibrant energy in one of Toledo's most creative destinations.
Horror Lit Meets Haunted History at Toledo's Victorian Mortuary
Mortuary Manor's BookFest
Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM
Mortuary Manor, Toledo (Historic 1897 Victorian building)
Meet 20+ Midwest horror authors, explore original funeral chapels and embalming rooms, browse macabre vendors, and optionally join evening ghost hunts in this one-of-a-kind celebration of spooky season.
Toledo's Inaugural Printmaking Festival Brings Art to the Community
Art Loop Print Jam
Saturday Noon - 4 PM
Arts Commission, Uptown Toledo
Experience live printmaking demonstrations, hands-on workshops, a vendor marketplace, and food trucks at this free community celebration of the printmaking arts.
Golden Hour on the Water: Toledo's Premier Sunset Experience
Sunset Cruise on the Glass City Pearl
Saturday 8-11 PM
Lake Erie & Toledo Harbor
Glide across Lake Erie for three hours as the sun paints the sky in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples, with views of the iconic Toledo Harbor Lighthouse and BYOB encouraged for the perfect evening celebration.
Toledo Choice Sponsors
Dave Crumbley Comedy Looking for live comedy in Toledo? Crumbley comedy features ticketed shows, free open mics, showcases, and special events throughout the area. Find upcoming dates, buy tickets, or sign up to perform at crumbleycomedy.com
Jack and Irene’s WISH House You don’t have to choose between living alone and a nursing home. That’s why we created Jack & Irene’s WISH House, a welcoming, inviting, safe haven where adults who need a little extra support can continue living with dignity, independence, purpose, and a true sense of belonging in a place they can call home. Schedule a personal tour today. jackirenewish.com
Kora James & CO Is your clean, fragrance-free baby skincare and lifestyle brand based in Sylvania, Ohio. Ingredient transparency is at the core of the brands identity, giving parents products they can trust for their little ones. Kora James & Co, is projected to launch Spring of 2027. www.korajamesco.com
Well that’s all for now, thanks for reading.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Sincerely, Eli