SMOKEY BEAR'S BIRTHDAY TO BE OBSERVED FRIDAY

Cape Girardeau will celebrate Smokey Bear's 50th birthday Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the North County Park on North Kingshighway.

Festivities will begin with Smokey Bear's arrival on a fire truck followed by an official birthday cake-cutting ceremony and presentation of a special Smokey Bear birthday card.

A 130,000-cubic-foot hot air balloon, more than 50 times larger than the average balloon, is fashioned in the shape of Smokey's head. The brim of his hat is 5-feet high. The balloon will be tethered at the park.

The celebration will feature several activities for children and their families. Smokey will be available for photos. Souvenirs will be available.

Smokey Bear has educated communities about what everyone can do to prevent accidental wildfires. The fires, which are caused by humans, destroy thousands of acres of Missouri forests and grasslands. More than 95 percent of wildfires in Missouri could be prevented.