Smokey the Bear greets visitors at the Cleveland County JAKES Day. Hundreds of children and their families gathered at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison on Saturday morning for the 24th annual JAKES Day, a collection of exhibits designed to welcome kids to the outdoors. JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The 2023 program was presented an R3 Award from the National Wild Turkey Foundation, which is presented to chapters that facilitate hunting heritage events focused on getting new hunters afield, according to the Foundation. JAKES Day is organized by the Cleveland County Cutters and Strutters Chapter. The families were treated to a meal and devotional and also met Smokey the Bear of the USDA Forest Service. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Children check out bear furs from East Arkansas Fur Takers. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Hundreds of children and their families enjoy the many exhibits of the Cleveland County JAKES Day. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Smokey the Bear greets visitors at the Cleveland County JAKES Day. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)