USDA Forest Service Prepares to Celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the USDA Forest Service jointly announced on Thursday (12-14-23) a yearlong celebration of Smokey Bear on his 80th birthday.

Smokey’s actual 80th birthday will be on August 9th, 2024, but starting in January, the Forest Service which has, in cooperation with the Ad Council and the National Association of State Foresters, managed the image of Smokey Bear since the 1940s will launch a yearlong celebration. The kickoff will start with Smokey sharing his iconic phrase of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st.

In fact, across the country various activities are being planned from guest appearances at local events; a Facebook live stream from the California State Fair in July with Darley Newman, host of the PBS show Travels with Darley; and a social media campaign where the Forest Service is asking folks to sing Happy Birthday to Smokey with the hashtag #SingForSmokey. And the fun continues through the year with the Smokey Bear balloon appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the lighting of the US Capital Christmas Tree.

Readers interested in keeping up with the national events surrounding Smokey’s 80th are invited to follow the Forest Service social media sites as well as the Ad Council’s Smokey Bear website www.smokeybear.com and social media sites.