HARRISBURG — Another southwest Pennsylvania delicacy — and the reigning champion — knocked Zippo out of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce’s “Coolest Thing Made in PA” contest.
Zippo’s second-round opponent, the Primanti Bros. sandwich, survives to face off against the Eat’n Park smiley cookies in the contest’s third round, voting for which kicks off at noon today.
The sandwich topped the 2023 field of 32 contestants in the bracket-style contest, which was doubled this year to 64.
Zippo lighters enjoyed a strong run in 2023 before falling to Mrs. T’s pierogies. In the first round of this year’s contest, voting for which began March 19 and has surpassed 66,000 choices cast, Zippo topped PPG Paints and Coatings.
“The public response to this contest has truly been incredible, and it’s a testament to the love that consumers across the Commonwealth and beyond share for these Pennsylvania-made products, many of which are household names nationwide,” PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said. “We’re thrilled to have a diverse representation of industries in these remaining 16 contestants, and we can’t wait to see who the voters choose to move on in the remaining weeks of the competition.”
With the number of contestants narrowed to 16, the contest picks up pace in week three, with two rounds held in the same week. The third round will run Tuesday and Wednesday, and the fourth round will take place Thursday and Friday. The semifinals will be held April 8 to 9 and the finals April 10 to 11.
The only criteria for submission was that each thing must be made right here in the commonwealth. Some other remaining participants include Auntie Anne’s pretzels, Martin & Co. Guitars, Pat’s King of Steaks Philly cheesesteaks and the PSU Creamery ice cream.
Vote on the PA Chamber’s X and Instagram pages. For more information about the “Coolest Thing Made in PA” contest, visit www.pachamber.org/coolestthing.
