This Saturday, Zippo Manufacturing Company is set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its acquisition of the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company brand with a day-long Silver Anniversary Celebration of this momentous occasion.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford.
“This is the 25th anniversary year for Zippo’s acquisition of the Case knife brand…a moment that marked the unification of two iconic American manufacturers rooted in Bradford,” according to Amanda DePrins, Zippo Manufacturing marketing manager.
The day-long Silver Anniversary Celebration festivities will include a “variety of fun activities including prize wheels, contests, lighter design sessions and so much more,” according to DePrins.
As a part of the “so much more” there will be guided museum tours, led by Zippo & Case Historians Shirley Evers and Katie Shonts-Saar; the chance to win a ride around town in the Zippo Car; and free Zippo lighter repairs and Case knife cleanings and blade sharpenings by onsite technicians.
Street Dreams Car Club will have displays of restored vintage automobiles in the museum field; there will be a Kids and Cancer Benefit Run booth available, with a charity raffle ticket drawing for a one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson, dubbed the “Harley of Hope” motorcycle by organizers of the bike run; and there will also be a Case Generation XX, one-of-a-kind, knife and sterling silver lighter raffle to benefit the McKean County SPCA.
The Case Generation XX tour is a series of nationwide events that bring Case collectors together for exclusive products, signings, and giveaways at their favorite Case retailers.
Food and beverages from local Bradford eateries will be available throughout the event.
To mark the 25 year milestone, the companies have created an extremely limited edition Zippo/Case Silver Anniversary Knife and Lighter Collectible set, which will be available on a first-come, first-sold basis at the museum. The store will also offer a limited production run of event and museum-exclusive collectibles from both Zippo and Case. Furthermore, a select number of lucky attendees will win exclusive “Out from the Archives” Case knives as part of Case’s Generation XX tour, according to DePrins.
“Twenty-five years ago, we united two brands that represent the essence of what it means to be proudly made in America,” said Mark Paup, president and CEO of Zippo and Case. “With more than two centuries of history between them, Zippo and Case have been intertwined into some of this country’s most significant moments, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the future has in store as both brands continue to grow.”
