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.