Snyder's of Hanover Brings the Flavor and Fun for National Pretzel Day

HANOVER, Pa., April 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of National Pretzel Day, Snyder's of Hanover is hosting a series of events all the way from Philadelphia to San Diego that will encourage Americans to taste how great a pretzel can be. On April 26, Snyder's National Pretzel Day celebration will feature a modern twist on the old-fashioned pretzel cart, where attendees can sample three of Snyder's of Hanover's boldest Flavored Pretzel Pieces: Honey Mustard & Onion, Hot Buffalo Wing and Bacon Cheddar.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130419/DC97924)

Consumers can also participate in fun activities to earn free giveaway items, like pretzel-shaped glasses or "I Tasted How Great a Pretzel Can Be" t-shirts in exchange for sharing a picture on Instagram or Twitter with #NationalPretzelDay while at the event.

Events are scheduled at the following locations at various times on April 26:

• Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., the world's largest track and field meet
• Bicentennial Plaza at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md.
• Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Minnesota Twins baseball game at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn.
• San Diego Zoo in front of the Zoo's Kids Store

"Pretzels have a rich history tied into celebrations and traditions, from weddings in Switzerland to New Year's Day celebrations in Germany as well as Christmas and Easter traditions in Austria," said Bob Gould, Marketing Manager for Snyder's of Hanover. "At Snyder's of Hanover, we are starting a new tradition this National Pretzel Day by introducing consumers to our boldly flavored Pretzel Pieces."

According to various sources, pretzels were created by monks in 610 A.D. by forming scraps of dough to represent a child's arms folded in prayer. Eventually, the tradition of pretzel baking was brought to Pennsylvania and the birth of hard pretzels became a reality when a baker's apprentice overcooked soft pretzels until they became deliciously hard.

Since then, the traditional twisted shape of pretzels has been the inspiration for U.S. dance moves, furniture, songs, roller coaster rides, parks and city names. Snyder's of Hanover, however, has not limited its pretzel products to just this traditional shape. America's favorite pretzel brand offers more than 30 pretzel varieties, flavors and shapes that include rods, checkerboard designs, pretzel sandwiches with peanut butter or cheddar cheese filling, or even bite-size pieces.

National Pretzel Day was initially declared in 1983 by U.S. Representative Robert S. Walker of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who proclaimed that his favorite food deserved a holiday. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell re-declared the holiday in 2003 to acknowledge the importance of the pretzel to the state's history and economy. Today more than 80 percent of America's pretzels are made in the state.

The National Pretzel Day sampling events and social media are just a teaser for the Snyder's of Hanover national TV and digital campaign that will launch in mid-May in 27 markets across the country — including the five cities where sampling events will take place. The focus of the campaign is Flavored Pretzel Pieces. The creative portrays how two workers in the Snyder's of Hanover Flavor Kitchen came up with the idea to add so much intense flavor to a pretzel that it had to be broken into pieces.

To learn more about National Pretzel Day or the Snyder's of Hanover events taking place on April 26, visit www.SnydersofHanover.com or the pretzel maker's Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest pages for ideas and recipes to celebrate America's oldest snack food.

About Snyder's of Hanover
For more than 100 years, Americans have enjoyed Snyder's of Hanover pretzels. With its unique sourdough heritage, Snyder's of Hanover pretzels today are available across the country in single-serve sizes as well as larger, 10, 12 and even 16-ounce bags, all fit for sharing. Today, America's favorite pretzel is available in a wide variety of flavors, recipes and shapes including traditional hard pretzels, flavored pretzel bites, sticks, rods, nibblers and even gluten-free options. For more information, visit www.snydersofhanover.com. Or find Snyder's of Hanover on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

About Snyder's-Lance, Inc.
Snyder's-Lance, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC, manufactures and markets snack foods throughout the United States and internationally. The Company's products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, nuts and other snacks. Snyder's-Lance has manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada. Products are sold under the Snyder's of Hanover®, Lance®, Cape Cod®, Pretzel Crisps®, Krunchers!®, Tom's®, Archway®, Jays®, Stella D'oro®, EatSmart Naturals® ,O-Ke-Doke® and Grande® brand names along with a number of private label and third party brands. Products are distributed nationally through grocery and mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, food service outlets and other channels. LNCE-G

SOURCE Snyder's of Hanover