Gearing up for summer
Smokey Bear got dressed in his summer gear Friday morning as Loni Bright, of Top That! By Loni, placed a fishing vest on the 26-foot tall statute that has an International Falls downtown park named after him. City Electrician Mike Holden and Bright work closely, as he operates the lift truck to get Bright to the right places to rig Smokey, constructed in 1954, with the vest. She uses a hook pole to help place the garment onto Smokey. Bright has been outfitting Smokey with season attire since 2004 when she crafted the vest for the International Falls Bass Championship. Bright notes that this year, resident Bill Hardwig fixed Smokey's hat.
