Smokey Bear’s 82nd Birthday Celebration

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of Fort Vancouver, National Park Service and Red ross will be celebrating Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center at 10 am. Kids and their families are invited to this free event for ......More

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of Fort Vancouver, National Park Service and Red ross will be celebrating Smokey Bear’s 82nd birthday at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center at 10 am. Kids and their families are invited to this free event for fun activities, to learn about wildfire prevention, domestic house fires and, of course, wish Smokey Bear a happy birthday in person.Smokey’s birthday will be held at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Tables set up by the Forestry service and Red Cross will be present at the event, educating the public on wildfire safety, campfire safety and Domestic house fire safety. Children’s activities will also be available. Smokey Bear-themed items will also be for sale in the Friends of Fort Vancouver bookstore.The real Smokey Bear was a little cub saved by firefighters during a wildfire in New Mexico. His paws were badly burned when he clung to a smoking, burned out tree. News of the little bear’s rescue spread quickly across the nation and soon became a national icon for promoting fire safety and wildfire prevention. He received so many gifts of honey and an outpouring of mail that he was assigned his own private zip code!

Special event will be held at Fort Vancouver's visitor center

Pearson Museum and Airfield Celebration

Join us on Saturday August 15 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Pearson Air Museum! This special community event honors 101 years of aviation history at one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating airfields.This day-long celebration will showcase the rich history of aviat......More

Join us on Saturday August 15 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Pearson Air Museum! This special community event honors 101 years of aviation history at one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating airfields.This day-long celebration will showcase the rich history of aviation in the Pacific Northwest while offering exciting activities for all ages. Highlights include:Pearson Air Museum Exhibits – Explore the stories of early aviation in Vancouver including the history of military aviation and the legacy of Pearson Airfield.Antique Aircraft Displays – See vintage planes up close on the airfield and learn more about their role in Northwest aviation history.Community Booths – Meet local organizations explore educational exhibits and enjoy interactive family activities.Paper Airplane Contest – Children and families can test their flying skills in a fun and creative competition.Guest Author Presentation – Historian and author Martin Middlewood will give a talk based on his recent book about Pearson Airfield sharing new insights into its century-long story.Art & Culture – Experience aviation-inspired art by local artist Pamela Gunn reflecting the unique spirit of Pearson Airfield.Walking tours.Live Music.Pearson Airfield traces its roots to the earliest days of flight. In 1905 Lincoln Beachey flew a dirigible from the grounds near the Columbia River making one of the first powered flights in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years Pearson became a hub of aviation innovation and military training. In 1925 it was officially dedicated as Pearson Field named for First Lieutenant Alexander Pearson Jr. a U.S. Army aviator and speed record holder. The airfield has since witnessed historic milestones from hosting early Army Air Service units to welcoming the Soviet transpolar flight of 1937. Today Pearson remains a living link to both local heritage and national aviation history.Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate the past and future of flight. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pearson Air Museum: 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661

Junior Ranger Day

Celebrate exploration, discovery, and learning during Junior Ranger Day at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on Saturday, August 22nd. Families and young visitors are invited to take part in a special day designed to help children connect with the history, landscape......More

Celebrate exploration, discovery, and learning during Junior Ranger Day at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on Saturday, August 22nd. Families and young visitors are invited to take part in a special day designed to help children connect with the history, landscapes, and stories that make this national park unique.Participants can pick up a Junior Ranger scavenger hunt and set out on a journey through the reconstructed Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Vancouver, exploring the spaces where people lived and worked during the 1840s. As they move through the fort, Junior Rangers will learn about the daily lives of traders, laborers, families, and communities who helped shape this important center of the Pacific Northwest fur trade. Along the way, participants will discover historic buildings, objects, and stories that bring the past to life while completing fun challenges and activities.This program encourages curiosity and hands-on learning, helping young visitors think about how people lived in the past and how places like Fort Vancouver connect to the larger story of the region. Activities are designed so families can explore the site together while discovering new aspects of the park’s history.Activities will be available as self-guided experiences from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., allowing visitors to participate at their own pace throughout the day.Junior Ranger Day is a great opportunity for children and families to explore the park, learn about the world of the 1840s, and experience the rich history preserved at Fort Vancouver.

Reconstructed Hudson Bay Company Fort

BARK Ranger Led Tour

At 9:30 am, join Fort Vancouver Volunteer BARK Ranger Ambassador for a guided walk through Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and discover how you and your four-legged companion can safely enjoy the park while helping protect park resources, wildlife, and other visit......More

At 9:30 am, join Fort Vancouver Volunteer BARK Ranger Ambassador for a guided walk through Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and discover how you and your four-legged companion can safely enjoy the park while helping protect park resources, wildlife, and other visitors.These volunteer-led tours provide an opportunity to learn about the history of the park through the lens of our canine friends. Participants will learn about the BARK Ranger program, explore the park's history and landscapes, and discover ways to be responsible stewards of public lands with their dogs. Tours begin at the Visitor Center and take participants on a journey down to the reconstructed fort.Program starts at the Visitor Center.