Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Smokey turns 65!


That's right, the big guy of fire protection himself, Smokey Bear, turns Sixty-five on Sat.

The year 1944 saw the birth of what has to be, one heck of a successful ad campaign. In a recent study, 95% of those surveyed could finish the sentence when given the first words.

Wow! 95% is awesome. How about you out there, do you remember what smokey would say in those commercials where all the woodland animals were in the background, homeless after a fire burned away the forest?

Need a hint?

"Only you....."

How'd ya do? Need the rest?

"Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires."

Fear not if you got it wrong, because in 2001 they changed it to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." Is that the way you remember it? I, myself prefer the Forest Fires way, but I guess that what I got use to. :)


If you happen to be in or around International Falls, MN this weekend, stop by the visit Smokey Bear Park and get your pic taken with this guy...26 ft tall Smokey.


9 comments:

  1. Oh, I luv Smokey Bear!!!

    Happy Birthday to the BIG GUY!

    Definitely 'forest fires' is the better phrase. That's how I learned it.

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  2. Yep, he's a loveable, huggable bear! When I think of him I also remember Hooty the owl - "Give A Hoot, Don't Pollute." LOL

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  3. Yep, Hooty, I definitely remember him, too.

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  4. Wildfires makes me think of naturally occurring fires, like lightning strikes and such. I can't prevent those lol

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  5. So right, Alanna.

    I wonder why they changed it?

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  6. And his voice was so deep! I loved him and Hooty! 'Forest fires' is much better.

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  7. Hi Lynda,
    Yep, he did have that deep manly voice. I bet it drove all the female bear crazy!! ;)

    Yay, another vote for forest fires!!

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  8. Wildfires? Geesh. Haven't they ever heard of branding? It will always be "forest fires" with me.

    Thanks for the update.

    Alanna brings up a good point. I don't think we can prevent wildfires. And Serena, I'd forgotten about ol' Hooty.

    It's like a trip down memory lane!

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  9. Hi Terry,
    Thanks for stopping by! Absolutely branding...it should go back to Forest Fires. :)

    Nope, can't stop a wildfire, though I'm thinking a character with that ability would be very cool. ;)

    Yep, good ole Hooty, I still find myself muttering the saying when I see people pitching stuff from their car windows!

    Have a good one!

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