Smokey the Bear Is Turning 72, and He Wants to Celebrate It With You

Smokey Bear, perhaps the world's most famous mascot masquerading as a public service announcement, is turning 72 this year. He's having three birthday parties to celebrate this Saturday where you can meet him and take your very own Smokey selfie.

"Join us as we celebrate Smokey Bear's birthday with activities that focus on exploring wildlife in New York City," said Stephen Zahn, acting regional director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's New York City Office. "We are excited to change the format of this year's event and bring it to three different parks. This gives families the opportunity to meet Smokey Bear and learn about animals that live in NYC. This year's event will also feature a Nature Scavenger Hunt that families can complete in order to win a grand-prize basket filled with tools to explore and learn about nature."

There will be a birthday party in Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, Hudson River Park near Pier 25 in the West Village, and Prospect Park near the entrance to the Children's Zoo in Brooklyn.

Smokey has been around since August 9, 1944, and he's been teaching us ever since about the mistakes people make that can lead to forest fires.

Event: Smokey Bear's Pop-up Birthday Parties
When: Saturday, August 6, 2016
Times: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Gantry Plaza State Park near the main plaza
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Hudson River Park near Pier 25
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Prospect Park near the entrance to the Children's Zoo

Image by 20131030-FS-RBN-211/Wikimedia Commons/CC by 2.0