From modest beginnings in a small Yakima Valley machine shop to becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved brands in the outdoor industry, Yakima is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary this month.

“Since 1979, outdoor enthusiasts have relied on Yakima to safely and easily transport the gear they use to do the things they love,” said Joel Grabenstein, Yakima’s Senior Director of Marketing. “We are humbled and honored to have been along on countless adventures over the past forty years.”

As part of the anniversary celebration, Yakima is holding its “Every Sticker Tells a Story” contest. Between now and the end of August, Yakima customers are encouraged to visit explore.yakima.com/40th-anniversary, upload a photo of the stickers they’ve collected on their Yakima cargo boxes and racks, and share the stories behind one or more of the stickers. One entrant will be selected at random to receive a prize package that includes a $250 Visa gift card, a $250 gas card, and the winner’s choice of $1,500 worth of Yakima products.

“We are nothing without the people who use our products,” said Grabenstein. “The ‘Every Sticker Tells a Story’ contest is a fun way for folks to share all the awesome adventures they’ve had with Yakima racks and boxes over the years, and for us to thank them for their support.”

As one of the first companies to recognize the need for dependable, easy-to-use solutions for transporting bikes, skis, boards, and more, Yakima continues to drive innovation in the outdoor industry and assist new groups of recreationists in getting their gear into the wild. Yakima’s motto, “Take it Easy,” is embodied in every product it makes, most recently in its line of pickup truck racks, introduced this spring, and in its collection of fishing rod carriers and the new LockNLoad platform rack system, both of which will debut next month.