The Smokey Bear Association is a nationwide group of Smokey Bear friends, fans and collectors who will be holding Smokey Bear related activities throughout the Bend area.
April 23 from. 3:00-6:00pm the Smokey Bear Association and the Des Chutes Historical Museum will co-sponsor Smokey Bear’s 70th birthday celebration in downtown Bend at the Des Chutes Historical Museum 129 NW Idaho Ave. Over 350 local children are expected to attend.
The museum will be showcasing it’s Smokey Bear: 70 Years of Fire Prevention display. Free birthday cake will be served and Smokey Bear will be on hand for pictures along with firetrucks, smokejumpers and repellers. Activities will include contest for prizes, giveaways, and fire prevention demonstrations.
The winners of the Bend area children’s Smokey Bear Birthday Card contest will be announced. Several local bakeries will be showcasing their skills in a special Smokey Bear 70th Birthday Cake decorating display. All events are open free to the public.
Organizations scheduled to participate on Wednesday: Smokey Bear Association, Des Chutes Historical Museum, United States Forest Service, Discover Your Forest, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Keep Oregon Green Association, Project Wildfire, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America.
Thursday April 24 from 5-8pm the Smokey Bear Association will hold a open house at the Bend Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center in Deschutes room B that’s open to the public.
Numerous Smokey Bear related displays will be set up by vendors from all across the US showcasing their Smokey Bear products and collections. Smokey Bear memorabilia experts will be on hand to offer advice on the age, origin, history and value of Smokey Bear items.
The largest public display of Smokey Bear dolls ever assembled will be showcased. The display will feature the one of kind 6′ Smokey Bear doll from Missouri that is thought to be the only one in existence plus other rare and unique Smokey Bear dolls.
The public is invited to bring their Smokey Bear doll to be part of the display and take photos. What is thought to be the largest Smokey Bear belt buckle display will also be on featured. A drawing for a free Smokey Bear tattoo donated by Dragonfly Body Art of Bend will be held for any Bend area fire related personal. Drawings and giveaways will also be part of the open house activities.
Jack Winchell
President
Smokey Bear Association
541-733-4433
