‘Sesame Street’ road trip hits Pittsburgh with a camera crew for 50th anniversary special
“Sesame Street” is coming to Mister Rogers’ neighborhood. The iconic children’s show celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a cross-country road trip that includes a “Pitt” stop June 13-15.
While in town, folks from Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street,” will visit local landmarks and community organizations. Television production crews will be on hand to film a new segment for the program’s Golden Season. They’ll capture footage of kids talking about what they love about their communities.
“The city of Pittsburgh is honored to welcome the Muppets this June as they celebrate 50 years of making an impact,” says Mayor William Peduto. “Sesame Workshop’s visit to Pittsburgh will shine a spotlight on the many ways that Sesame – and local organizations – are teaching, inspiring and supporting children.”
On June 14 at 9:45 a.m., Elmo will joint Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Richard Fitzgerald and a group of kids at Carnegie Science Center to highlight Sesame Workshop’s efforts to address the importance of school readiness. Through the various hands-on activities at the Science Center’s Little Learners Clubhouse, kids will build on their natural curiosity about the places, people and things around them.
The following day, June 15, Big Bird & Co. hosts a family festival and stage show on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. The celebration has been quickly selling out at cities across the country, including the Pittsburgh stop, but you’ll be able to catch coverage in the anniversary special, which premieres on HBO in November.
Even if you weren’t lucky enough to score tickets, your kids can still get in on the fun. Head over to the Sesame Street anniversary website, where kids can play games like “Show Me The Cookies,” “Grover’s Motorcycle Mayhem” and “Big Bird’s Basketball.” There are lots of art projects and a bunch of cool videos, including celebrity appearances, such as John Legend, Sia and Usher.
The celebrity- and fan-fueled social media campaign encourages everyone to share their favorite Sesame Street memories by tagging them with #ThisIsMyStreet.
“This summer’s road trip and our visit to Pittsburgh will demonstrate the power of media to engage and teach – something Sesame Workshop has focused on from the very beginning,” says Steve Youngwood, Sesame Workshop’s president of media and education and chief operating officer.
“As we celebrate our decades of impact and look ahead to the next 50 years, ‘Sesame Street’s’ timeless lessons remain the same: Everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, is equally deserving of respect, opportunity and joy,” he says.
PNC sponsors the 10 city tour stops as part of its Grow Up Great initiative. The $500 million-program prepares kids from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. Recently, PNC collaborated with Sesame Workshop on Growing Together: Ready for School & Beyond, which provides free, bilingual resources to children and their parents or caregivers. It’s a match made in Pre-K heaven!
