Smokey Bear Turns 70, a Birthday Party for All

BELLEPLAIN – Smokey Bear, the nation’s longest-running public service announcement campaign, celebrated his 70th birthday Aug. 9. The campaign was created by the Advertising Council, for use by the U.S. Forest Service during World War II, to raise public awareness of the prevention of forest fires.
Smokey’s memorable tagline, “Only you can prevent forest fires,” has been used in posters, radio, and television ads since 1947. In 2001, the phrase was amended to “wildfires.”
Smokey debuted in a poster in 1944, replacing Walt Disney’s Bambi, which had been loaned to the Forest Service for the campaigns for one year. Since then, Smokey has appeared in commercials, children’s books, songs, and even on a postage stamp. Smokey memorabilia is sought after by collectors around the world.
The live version of Smokey Bear was an American black bear rescued from a forest fire in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico in 1950. After being nursed back to health in Santa Fe, Smokey was relocated to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived for 26 years. He received so much fan mail, that in 1964, the U.S. Postal Service issued Smokey his own unique ZIP code.
Birthday Party
Tom Champion has worked at the Belleplain State Forest for 51 years. His passion for teaching forest fire prevention is immediately apparent to anyone who meets him.
At 83, Champion remembers Smokey’s debut. Every year since 1980, Champion has held a birthday celebration for Smokey to help spread his message of fire prevention to a new generation of children. Champion raises all of the funds himself, through soda and candy sales at the Ranger Station of the park. “It’s a way to get the children involved, and teach them, and they always have a great time,” he said. Hundreds participate in the festivities each year.
The big 70th birthday party will take place Aug. 30 at Belleplain State Forest, with a full day of fun activities. A coloring contest will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Children of all ages, and even adults, will compete for Smokey Bear memorabilia. Children can have their colorful creations ironed onto a free t-shirt.
The guest of honor will arrive by helicopter at 4 p.m. at the athletic field for photos with the kids. At 6:30 p.m., Smokey and his friends will make their way to the Lake Nummy Pavilion to enjoy cake and ice cream. All activities are free and open to the public.
For information, contact Champion at (609) 861-2404.
To contact Don Tozer, email dtozer@cmcherald.com.