Yesterday was the 35th birthday of Sesame Place. At Sesame Place they never call it an “anniversary.” It makes sense, when we think of anniversaries we think of adult things like commemorating the anniversary of a wedding or a historic event from the past. Kids don’t always know much about anniversaries, but everyone knows about birthdays!
Sesame Place has been celebrating this milestone throughout the season and recently held a cake decorating contest at the park. Yesterday the winning cake, created by Nichole’s Custom Cakes, was on display for all to see.
At 10:15am, Sesame Place President Bob Caruso took the stage to kick off the ceremony. Mr. Caruso has worked at the park since 1980 and talked about the monumental changes the park has made. Caruso gestured to the costumed characters who were meeting with children in areas near the stage and pointed out “when we opened we were missing a few people. We were missing the characters.” He said, “But as time went on we added the character shows, we added water attractions, we added Vapor Trail the rollercoaster, we added the Spooktacular (Sesame Place’s month long Halloween event) and most recently we added A Very Furry Christmas.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF DAVIS
Caruso then introduced Frank Ferry, Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and mentioned that Frank was a team member in his youth.
Rep. Ferry pointed out the logo on his white polo shirt and joked that “it’s not often that in my official capacity that I get to wear an Oscar the Grouch shirt.” He explained that the shirt was from when he worked in 1996, during the opening of Slimey’s Chutes, and after 20 years he was happy that it “still fits.”
Rep. Ferry read the official proclamation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (which did use the word “anniversary”.) The proclamation acknowledged the rather humble beginning the park had and talked of its expansion over the years as well as Sesame Place’s contributions “to the enrichment and enjoyment of countless citizens.”
Bob Caruso then introduced some of his “favorite furry friends” which brought upon loud applause and cheers from the crowd.
Park performer PJ Schweizer took the stage with Cookie Monster, Elmo, Zoe, and Abby Cadabby. The group did a set of musical numbers starting with “Can You Tell Me How To Get To Sesame Street.”
On a day where morning temperatures were already in the high 90s, it only seemed fitting that the second song was Elmo’s rendition of the summertime favorite “Hot Hot Hot” as the other characters danced along.
The musical numbers concluded with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” and then streamers shot over the crowd.
The sunny morning eventually gave way to sporadic (but heavy) rainfall, which thankfully was down to a light drizzle during the Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade.
In the back of the park Snuffy’s Slides, a tall pair of tube slides, celebrated its 35th birthday. Unbeknownst to most of the guests is the only “play element” from opening day to stick around for all of the past 35 years.
Everyone that walked through the gates for the morning celebration was given a paper party hat and party blower and everyone left the celebration with a smile on their face. Sesame Place’s 35th Birthday Party was certainly one to remember.
About the author: Guy Hutchinson is an avid theme park fan and the co-author of the book “Sesame Place” which chronicles the history of the park in text and photos. You can purchase your copy of “Sesame Place” at www.SesamePlaceBook.com
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