CAPITAN, N.M. — The Capitan Post Office will offer a special pictorial postmark beginning on Friday and Saturday, May 1 & 2, in celebration of the 12th annual Smokey Bear Days event and the iconic fire prevention spokesbear’s 71st birthday.

The postmark will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 1, and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, at Smokey Bear Historical Park, 118 Smokey Bear Blvd. in Capitan, as part of a two-day-long celebration which includes music performances, a car show and other family activities. Postage stamps will also be available at the Historical Park during those hours.

Capitan Postmaster Ralph Griffo said the new postmark is being issued as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Postmark America series, and will be available at customers’ request indefinitely after this weekend’s issuance event.

All that is needed to obtain the free postmark is an envelope or card with current First-Class postage affixed.

Also on Friday and Saturday, Smokey Bear Historical Park will offer a limited-edition envelope with the postage and postmark already affixed, while supplies last.

“This Postmark America design will be a hit with visitors and area residents alike,” Griffo said. “We’re proud to be able to help celebrate Smokey’s importance to our community and to the entire country.”

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