HALSEY- With Smokey the Bear turning 80 this year, a three-day celebration will go on at the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey.
Smokey Bear has been teaching millions of Americans about fire safety and preventing wildfires since 1944. The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History.
Starting on Thursday evening, August 1, at 7 p.m. Smokey will make an appearance for a photo opportunity and story time. These activities will be in partnership with the Nebraska Bow Hunters Association.
Friday afternoon, at 1 p.m. tours of the Bessey Nursery will go on. Participants should wear closed-toed shoes and have the ability to walk on uneven ground. The tours will meet at the visitor center, and they will be 45 minutes to an hour long.
On Saturday afternoon, at 1 p.m., to conclude the multi-day celebration, there will be a birthday party with cake and games. Activities will include a Smokey appearance, telling of the Smokey story, birthday cake while it lasts, Safe Fire Bingo, and a Leave No Trace hike. These activities will be in partnership with Black Hills Parks and Forests.
Camping will be limited at this time. Those planning to camp should consider the Nitick campground with first come, first serve campsites. The campground is primitive but has a vault toilet, non-potable water, and plenty of shade.
