Smokey Bear celebrates 82nd birthday with helicopter flight along Jersey Shore
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service scheduled a flight from Cape May to Asbury Park, along with special flyovers and commemorative beach badges.
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Smokey Bear celebrated his 82nd birthday Sunday with a helicopter flight along the Jersey Shore.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Smokey was scheduled to take off over Cape May around 1 p.m. aboard one of its helicopters. The iconic mascot was set to travel north along the coast, waving to beachgoers before ending in Asbury Park around 3:30 p.m.
A banner plane displaying a “Happy Birthday, Smokey Bear” message was scheduled to lead the flight.
Earlier on Sunday, Smokey was scheduled to fly over Atsion Lake in Wharton State Forest around 11 a.m. and Lake Nummy in Belleplain State Forest around 11:45 a.m.
Commemorative Smokey Bear beach badges were also available on a first-come, first-served basis at Atsion Recreation Area, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Belleplain State Forest, Corson’s Inlet State Park, Island Beach State Park and the Ocean City Music Pier.
Cape May Point State Park also marked Smokey’s birthday and invited visitors to take photos with Smokey and the Cape May Lighthouse.
The Forest Fire Service said the birthday flight was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
