RANGELEY – Fire-starting, fire prevention and just about anything to do with hunting or fishing was represented at the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day on Tuesday in Oquossuc village.

Many area residents and visitors came to partake in the daylong event, which included fly casting, canoeing, archery and crafts at the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association clubhouse.

The pond was stocked with fish and children were free to try their hand at catching them. On the opposite side of the pond, children and adults attempted to hit the mark with bow and arrow, breaking balloons when they did.

A canoe race across the pond saw but few participants but was particularly fun for Randy Doak of Farmington who paddled in three of the four competing boats, each making the crossing one at a time.

“I’m in the running for first, second and third place,” said the bemused 13-year-old.

On hand were exhibitors from Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Forest Service and various craftsmen.

Children displayed critter crafts and amulets made at the fair, and they caught insects and small amphibians from the pond working with Elaine Holcombe to identify them.

While Roger Noyes of Rangeley worked intently on scrimshaw powder horns, Ted Waldron demonstrated techniques for starting a matchless fire nearby.

But a demonstration of fire starting did not deter the appearance of a fire prevention advocate. A gathered crowd of adults and children sang “Happy Birthday” to Smokey Bear who appeared mid-day. Second only to Santa Claus, the ursine icon is the second most recognized one in the country, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The cuddly brown bear was on hand to celebrate his 60th birthday.

The Maine Forest Service endeavors to take Smokey to schools throughout the state in the hope that every student will hear the fire prevention message by the end of third grade.

“He looks pretty good for his age,” Maine Forest Ranger Mark Rousseau said.

In addition to accompanying Smokey, the ranger distributed toys, comic books and leaflets, all promoting the message.

The comic book regales readers with the history of the bear and his birth as a symbol of forest fire prevention.

A bear cub badly burned in a forest fire in New Mexico was saved by firefighters who brought him to state conservation authorities. After treating the abandoned cub, they gave him a home in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The bear came to be known as Smokey and was employed to educate the public about forest fire prevention.

And the message hasn’t changed in 60 years.

“Only you can prevent forest fires,” says Smokey in the final frame of the comic book.