History / About
The Big Zapper was a one-piece beechwood yo-yo similar in size and shape to Duncan’s maple Tournament, made in Sweden for Festival by Elfverson & Company. The Yo-Yo Museum documents a green model sold around 1967-1970 for 59 cents and later models (red, black) sold from about 1970-1974 for 69 cents; the card tagline reads the semi-pro-yo with trick string. The museum says Festival made Big Zappers for most of the company’s run, in versions with imprinted logos or stickers. Festival Toys was a division of Union Wadding Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, according to the Yo-Yo Museum, and was associated with Wilf Schlee Jr., owner of Cheerio and Hi-Ker.
