Annual Smokey Bear Day celebration canceled for 2018
Volunteer groups decided to pour its energy into big 75th birthday bash in 2019
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Members of Smokey Bear's Hometown Association decided recently that because of the lack of "boots on the ground," to cancel the 2018 Smokey Bear Days celebration.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of you for your continued support and collaboration during our annual Smokey Bear Days' event," they wrote in a public letter. "It is with heartfelt emotions we ask that you attempt to understand the intention that this letter pursues.
"Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, and lack of boots on the ground and manpower, Smokey Bear’s Hometown Association voted on and made the decision during their Jan. 17, pre-Smokey Bear Days meeting to cancel our 2018 Smokey Bear Day’s annual event."
As an alternative, association members chose to pour their efforts into making Smokey Bear’s big 75th Birthday in May 2019 a huge triumph, they wrote.
"This year 2018 has been selected to make as many preparations for this 'GRAND' commemoration as possible," they wrote.
"It is with great enthusiasm we ask that you join us and the nation in celebrating this huge tribute to honor our world-renowned Smokey Bear in making this event an enormous success. Please don’t hesitate to share any suggestions, ideas, thoughts or sentiments to help us coordinate for the big event."
Started in 2004 to celebrate Smokey's 60th birthday, Smokey Bear Days has become an annual two-day event the first Friday and Saturday of May. The Smokey Bear Days' mission is to promote the fire prevention message and educate visitors to the Capitan area about the dangers of unwanted, human-caused wildfires.