By Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press
Off-roading enthusiasts gathered in Holly for a weekend packed with dirt, mud and plenty of driving.
Detroit 4Fest, an off-roading festival held at Holly Oaks ORV Park, took place Friday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 19. The event, held over the park’s 235 acres, drew an estimated 5,000 attendees.
The weekend included off-roading on the trails, rock racing, live music, food trucks and vendors.
Scenes from Detroit 4Fest at the Holly Oaks ORV Park on Friday, Sept. 18. (Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press)
Friday night featured NightFest, a night-wheeling event held after dark.
The festival partners with Stellantis’ Jeep brand, which served as the event’s title sponsor. This year’s event featured five concept vehicles and five production models on display.
A highlight of the weekend was welcoming students from the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, according to Tom Zielinski, founder and president of Detroit 4Fest.
“We bring them out alongside Jeep leadership every year, so that these kids can come out and experience something that most kids that live in a major city would never, ever experience,” said Zielinski.
On Friday morning, students from the Detroit high school met with Jeep CEO Branden Coté and rode the trails with him. Jeep leadership, including the president and vice president, also visited the site Friday morning.
Scenes from Detroit 4Fest at the Holly Oaks ORV Park on Friday, Sept. 18. (Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press)
“We enjoy bringing these kids out to do an experience that they’ve never done,” said Zielinski. “It’s so heartwarming to watch the look on the kids’ faces. That’s the kind of stuff that leaves an impression.”
Zielinski also pointed to the festival’s mission to welcome and encourage more women into the off-roading community. The festival hosted free off-road basic training throughout the weekend, including a women-only session.
Scenes from Detroit 4Fest at the Holly Oaks ORV Park on Friday, Sept. 18. (Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press)
“It can be intimidating because, in general, it kind of always was the old boys’ club. We let (women) join us, jump in the mix and learn how to do this,” he said.
The festival offered a beginner ride-and-learn program, where experienced off-road instructors ride alongside newcomers to teach basic principles. Jeep owners can also earn the Jeep Badge of Honor for the Holly Oaks ORV Park at the festival.
Detroit 4Fest launched in 2019. According to Zielinski, it was the only public event held in Southeast Michigan in 2020 after the start of the pandemic. With the blessing of Oakland County, the event continued for its second year.
Scenes from Detroit 4Fest at the Holly Oaks ORV Park on Friday, Sept. 18. (Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press)
Zielinski first started the festival as a test run, unsure of whether it would draw a crowd. “I’ll do a little test event. Let’s just see if people like this and people show up,” said Zielinski of planning the festival in 2019. “We got some trails built. I thought, ‘Man, if we could get a hundred people to show up and a couple of vendors, it’ll be amazing.’ And the first year, 2,000 people showed up.”
Zielinski bought his first Jeep in 1979 and has owned Jeeps ever since. He said he hopes the festival brings newcomers to the sport.
“The main purpose is to bring people who are interested in the adventure lifestyle together in a super safe and fun environment,” said Zielinski.
Scenes from Detroit 4Fest at the Holly Oaks ORV Park on Friday, Sept. 18. (Mallory Waligora, For The Oakland Press)