Smokey Bear, the iconic brown bear wearing a forest ranger's hat who reminds citizens they are the first line of prevention against forest fires, will celebrate his 66th birthday Saturday with a party at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Copperhill, Tenn.
The USDA Forest Service is throwing Smokey's party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be games, firefighting exhibits, prize drawings, cake and ice cream.
Families are encouraged to make a day out of the drive to the center in the Cherokee National Forest. Bring a picnic to spread by the river, watch whitewater rafters, hike or bike Old Copper Road Trail.
The charge to attend is the regular $3 fee per vehicle.
DID YOU KNOW?
* Smokey Bear is protected by federal law and has his own private ZIP code.
* In 1952, Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote the song that would cause a debate among Smokey enthusiasts for the next several decades. To maintain the correct rhythm, the songwriters added a "the" between "Smokey" and "Bear." For many fans, Smokey Bear became known as Smokey the Bear, but this guardian of the forests is correctly known as Smokey Bear.