It’s that time of year again in Lebanon, time to show off the latest and the greatest in pocket knife manufacturing at the Case Celebration at Shepherd Hills Outlet, Saturday September 12.
Each year,
more than 4,000 people from all over the country flock to Lebanon for a one day celebration of the finest made-in-America cutlery, in all kinds of styles, with all kinds of materials, for all kinds of uses.
Ever seen a knife handle made from a Woolly Mammoth’s tooth? You will this weekend in Lebanon.
Want to see knives made with latest high-tech materials? You will this weekend in Lebanon.
Want to talk to the people who make the knives in Bradford Pennsylvania? There’ll be a bunch of them there too.
Each year for the last 20, Shepherd Hills has hosted a celebration of an iconic American brand. W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery is a company with roots that run as far back as 1889 when William Russell (W.R.), Jean, John and Andrew Case, formerly of the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company – began selling cutlery from the back of a wagon in various small western New York villages. By 1900, the brothers had incorporated to form Case Brothers Cutlery Company.
For the celebration, the outlet invites workers from the company plant to come to Lebanon to meet with the people who carry and collect their product.
And what a collection you’ll find this weekend. Case brings out the “good stuff” for this special event. Collectors can find all kinds of specialty products, unique items made just for this celebration. You can browse through a huge tent’s worth of items, certain to draw the attention of veteran collectors and new customers alike.
This year, the star of the show will be Eugene Gutierrez, Jr., a member of the U.S. Army’s first Special Forces unit, known during WW II as “The Devil’s Brigade”. These soldiers performed daring raids behind enemy lines, always with a specially-designed Case knife strapped to their leg. Mr. Gutierrez is 93 years old, and from what we understand is still “sharp as a knife”, a Case knife, of course.
It will be a full day of activities on the celebration grounds with auctions and presentations by hunting show hosts, a scrimshaw artist, a master knife maker, an antique knife expert, even some of your favorite riders from the Pro Bull Riding series will be on hand.
Plus, there will be all kinds of activities for the kids from apple peeling to bubble gum blowing to “Knife Bingo”.
The celebration runs from 9 to 4 p.m.at the Shepherd Hills Outlet, exit 127 off Highway 44 in Lebanon Missouri. Come a little early and get in on the sidewalk sale that starts at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.
You’ll also want to get in line at the South Doors bright and early too. The first ten people in line will get a free Case knife. Last year’s first in line arrived about 6:00 p.m. Friday night!
With a good weather forecast and cooler temperatures in store, it promises to be one of the biggest and best Case Celebrations ever.
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