The last Wednesday in March is National Little Red Wagon Day. This is a day worthy of making memories and celebrating the power of imagination, as adults and children alike can enjoy time together with a little red wagon.
For nearly 100 years, Radio Flyer has been bringing smiles to kids of all ages and creating warm memories that last a lifetime. As a brand, Radio Flyer has always supported unstructured outdoor play and its positive impact on children. With their 100th anniversary on the horizon, Radio Flyer would like to establish a day that not only celebrates kids’ imaginations but the vehicles that help them explore it – their wagons.
This iconic toy is one of the most enduring toys of all time. For generations, children have led little red wagons down Independence Day parade routes, carried out countless imaginary missions and voyages of childhood fantasy. It is not unusual for a little red wagon to be handed down from one generation to the next, treasured like a family heirloom. The adventures are enjoyed by all, regardless of age.
HOW TO OBSERVE
As the weather gets warmer and spring officially begins, use National Little Red Wagon Day to encourage kids to get outside, get active and go wherever their imaginations take them. Use #LittleRedWagonDay and tag @RadioFlyer to share on social media.
HISTORY
National Little Red Wagon Day was founded by Radio Flyer in honor of their upcoming 100th anniversary. The Registrar of National Day Calendar declared National Little Red Wagon Day in 2016.
From Wikipedia –
Antonio Pasin started building wooden toy wagons in Chicago in 1917, selling them to area shops. His business grew until the Liberty Coaster Company, named in honour of the Statue of Liberty, was formed in 1923. The demands for these original wooden wagons, dubbed the “Liberty Coaster,” quickly outpaced production. Incorporating the mass manufacturing techniques of the auto industry, Pasin began making metal wagons out of stamped steel in 1927. In 1930, the company was renamed Radio Steel & Manufacturing. The renamed company produced steel-bodied wagons and used assembly line manufacturing techniques. The new Radio Flyerwagons were named as a tribute to two famous men of the day: Marconi and Lindbergh. Italian inventor and engineer Guglielmo Marconi developed, demonstrated, and marketed the first successful long-distance wireless telegraph and in 1901 broadcast the first transatlantic radio signal. Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1927. Combining those two marvels, Pasin christened his new metal wagons “Radio Flyer”.
In 1933, Chicago was the host of the World’s Fair, Century of Progress, and Radio Steel was asked to be a part of the celebration. Antonio Pasin took on major debt to fund the construction of a 45 foot tall wood and plaster Coaster Boy statue depicting a boy riding a Liberty Coaster wagon. Below the Coaster Boy exhibit Pasin sold miniatures for 25 cents. During World War II, steel was essential war material; from 1942–1945, the company shifted production to portable five gallon Blitz cans for the US Army.
In 1987, Radio Steel changed its name to Radio Flyer after its popular flagship little red wagon. Today, the company produces a wide range of children’s products, including scooters, bicycles, tricycles, ride-ons, horses, and wagons. Robert Pasin, Antonio’s grandson, has been CEO since 1997. In 1998 the company partnered with Kaleidoscope to create a new product line that included tricycles, scooters, children’s bicycles, a foot-powered red roadster, and a pedal-powered race car.
In 2015, Fortune named Radio Flyer number one in the top 25 best small businesses for which to work.
