Columbus, Ohio: Animatronic Smokey Bear
Public safety awareness brought to life. He's outdoors and he talks (sometimes) and he's 14 feet tall.
- Address:
- 670 E. 11th Ave., Columbus, OH
- Directions:
- Only visible during the annual State Fair. Smokey stands in "Natural Resources Park," which is on the southeast corner of the Ohio State Fairgrounds. I-71 exit 110B, then west one block on E.11th Ave. Just west of Clara Ave., on the north side.
- Hours:
- Smokey only comes out of storage for State Fair, Jul-Aug. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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The appearance of Smokey has changed. He is still about the same height and still "talks" to everyone (mainly kids), but his face has ben altered quite a bit. Not a huge deal, but it was a little alarming since I've been going to the fair almost every year since I was a toddler. I am just glad he is still around!
[Vicky M, 03/05/2019]
Smokey Bear's voice was not very "bear like."
[Derek, 07/31/2016]
Smokey Bear is in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources area of the Ohio State Fairgrounds/Exposition Center.
[Jax2A, 10/06/2014]Inside the Ohio State fairgrounds there stands the friendly talking bear who taught all us kids not to drop burning matches on dry forest litter.
He stands about ten feet tall, but he must have been 100 feet when I used to see him every summer as a kid. I'm not sure if he was still moving and talking when I last saw him a few years ago, but he is an impressive sight nonetheless, with his broad rimmed park ranger's hat, luxurious pelt and smartly starched denim overalls.
[Ross Wootton, 10/08/2000]October 2008: Smokey is still here and he still talks (at least when someone's around to turn him on). He stands an impressive 14 feet tall.
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Smokey only comes out of hibernation in July and August during the annual Ohio State Fair.