5th annual Detroit 4fest: A celebration of automakers, dirt and off-roading

Posted by Talbot Payne on September 9, 2023

Holly — If the Detroit auto show is an indoor showcase of the auto industry’s latest trends, then Detroit 4fest is an outdoor showcase for the industry’s hottest segment: off-roading.

Thousands of off-road enthusiasts from all over the Midwest will descend on Holly Oaks ORV Park’s 235 acres this weekend to play in one of Michigan’s best sandboxes, with 200-foot elevation changes, swampy courses, and epic trails. Where there are consumers, companies follow, and there will be display tents and vehicles from title sponsor Jeep as well as from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Toyota. Michigan dealers LaFontaine and Szott are also on site with new chariots as well as eye candy like the Ford Bronco DR desert racer.

Open to anyone with an off-road-capable vehicle — and to those who want to test the latest from Jeep’s Wrangler stable — 4fest takes over Holly Oaks ORV Park 30 miles north of Detroit for a weekend of filthy fun.

Detroit 4fest takes over Holly Oaks this weekend with any and all off-road vehicles and their drivers welcome to play in the sand and mud.Detroit 4fest takes over Holly Oaks this weekend with any and all off-road vehicles and their drivers welcome to play in the sand and mud.

“This is an event where u can bring your own vehicle and enjoy the adventure lifestyle,” said Detroit 4fest CEO Tom Zielinski. “For new attendees, we have Off-Road 101 lessons this weekend. This all started very organically — it was some people off-roading on the weekend, then all of a sudden we had thousands of people joining us. All the manufacturers are here with their finest off-road wares.”

In addition to manufacturer displays, 4fest’s Vendor Village features some 60 off-road equipment makers with accessories, performance parts and more to make off-road bruisers even more capable. Vendors include Bilstein, General Tire, JKS Manufacturing, General RV Center, Blacklake Research and more.

The event’s kick-off event Friday night? Twilight off-roading from 7-9 p.m. over Holly Oaks’ 40 miles of trails and tribulations.

From left, Robin Johnson, 64, of Rochester Hills; April Gala, 59, of Shelby Township, and Melissa Tomassi arrived early at Holly Oaks for 4fest.From left, Robin Johnson, 64, of Rochester Hills; April Gala, 59, of Shelby Township, and Melissa Tomassi arrived early at Holly Oaks for 4fest.

Three members of the Jeep Babes off-road club came early Friday to help with organization and play in the mud. “I can’t wait to take my Wrangler 392 out on the trails,” said Melissa Tomassi, 44, of Troy. “I love the Tetons rollercoaster hills and the technical Mt. Magna.”

Mt. Magna is a recreation of some of Moab, Utah’s most fearsome obstacles, including Mashed Potato Hill, Gravy Bowl and the Golden Crack. Tomassi was joined by fellow Jeep Babes April Gala, 59, of Shelby Township and Robin Johnson, 64, of Rochester Hills. The Babes are 4,300 strong in Michigan — 14,000 nationally — and are planning their own weekend at Holly next month.

Such events are testimony to the explosion in off-road interest across the country as automakers have responded to Americans’ pandemic wanderlust with more overlanders like the Ford Ranger Raptor, Bronco Sport Heritage Edition, Chevy ZR2, Toyota Tacoma TRD, GMC Canyon AT4X, Land Rover Defender, Ram TRX and so on.

The torrential rains of recent weeks challenged Zielinski’s team as they manicured the park to be safe and secure for the weekend. In addition to Mt. Magna, drivers will enjoy Holy Oaks staples like Darlene’s Ridge, Flat Top, Bathtub, the Big Easy and Holly Glen.

“Holly Glen is my favorite section,” said pro race car driver Aaron Bambach, who has competed in everything from Indy Lights racers to the Super Truck series. “I took a 480-horse Wrangler 392 with 37-inch tires down there once and really put it to the test.”

At Holly Oaks this weekend, it's a Jeep thing.At Holly Oaks this weekend, it's a Jeep thing.

Master the Glen and Mt. Magna and Zielinski will point you to even more challenging corners of the Oakland County Park that rose from an abandoned sand and gravel mine. “We got the notch, which is pro-level off-roading,” said Zielinski.  “It’s all sorts of sketchiness.”

In addition to production mules, organizers expect a flood of ATVs, buggies, side-by-sides, and even race trucks over the two-day event. Four Ultra4 race trucks will put on an exhibition Saturday afternoon featuring local off-road racing hero, Casey Gilbert.

Everyone has a chance to learn at Holly Oaks, including students from the Jalen Rose Academy. The ex-Michigan basketball star himself will help introduce kids to the off-road world along with Jeep CEO Jim Morrison.

Rough riders like the Ford Bronco DR will be tackling Holly Oaks during 4fest.Rough riders like the Ford Bronco DR will be tackling Holly Oaks during 4fest.

Detroit 4fest has spawned a Winterfest in January at Holly Oaks as well as spinoffs in Jay, Oklahoma, and Austin, Texas. Total national 4fest attendance last year? Over 50,000 people.

“This is a very engaged audience , they are very committed to what they do. Everybody wants to be part of this,” said Zielinski. “If you’re new, come out. If you’re a veteran, we have stuff to challenge you.”

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne

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