MISSOULA, Mont. — Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday party begins at noon Friday at the Western Montana Fair in Missoula.
The Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) will read the “Smokey Bear Story.”
There are gift bags for children and a birthday painting station.
There is the opportunity to take photographs.
The event will be repeated at 4 p.m.
Smokey is also expected to perform at Friday night’s rodeo event.
Full publication:
Smokey Bear is celebrating his 80th birthday this year. For generations, his voice has echoed through time: “Only you can prevent wildfires.” The Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) is celebrating 80 years of Smokey Bear and his current message this Friday, August 9, starting at noon at the Western Montana Fair.
Even after 80 years, Smokey Bear is still one of the most recognizable icons after Santa Claus. Smokey can even be considered an “influencer,” with over 360,000 followers on his Facebook page (SmokeyBear) and 219,000 followers on Instagram (@SmokeyBear). His message of wildfire prevention is still relevant today. On average, 75% of wildfires in Montana are caused by humans.
The public is invited to celebrate Smokey’s birthday this Friday with the MCFPA at the Missoula Fairgrounds, 1101 South Avenue West. The party will begin at noon with a reading of the “Smokey Bear Story.” There will be goodie bags for kids (while supplies last) and a birthday card coloring station. According to a reliable source, Smokey might even show up for photo ops with kids of all ages. And if you can’t make it by noon, the whole thing will be repeated at 4 p.m., because you only turn 80 once! So head to the fair, meet members of the MCFPA, learn about wildfire preparedness and prevention, and secure a photo op with an iconic influencer. Who knows, if Smokey still feels like partying after all that, he could just show up at the rodeo on Friday night, say at 7 p.m.? After all, 80 is the new 40!
