A giant Smokey Bear hot air balloon will visit Michigan this week.

The face of fire prevention will soar above the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. The balloon - a so-called "special shape" featuring Smokey's face and signature ranger hat - will be inflated in the late afternoon each day at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.

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The National Cherry Festival opened on June 29 and runs through July 6.

Smokey Bear - who celebrates his 80th birthday this year - also will serve as the parade marshal for the DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, July 6.

"We're excited to host the Smokey Bear balloon this year and give people a chance to enjoy this pop culture icon and learn more about preventing wildland fires," said Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist. The DNR will also host a separate fire prevention booth downtown during the event.

The balloon most recently appeared at the 2021 Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba. It measures 97 feet tall and up to 72 feet in diameter, Smokey's balloon is made of 4,670 square yards of ripstop nylon weighing 546 pounds. It holds 145,000 cubic feet of air and requires a crew of 12-15 volunteers to launch.

Smokey Bear was born on Aug. 9, 1944, when the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council agreed that a fictional bear named Smokey would be their symbol for the forest fire prevention.

When to visit the balloon

As weather permits during the Cherry Festival, the Smokey Bear balloon will lift off each evening sometime after 6 p.m. and will make tethered flights until dusk Wednesday through Saturday at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Thursday will include an after dark "balloon glow" moment, when the vast balloon is lit from within. The Smokey Bear bounce house and other fire prevention activities will also be at the site.