Can you believe Sesame Street is celebrating 50 years? When I was a kid, Sesame Street was a television show that I greatly cherished. Now that I am a mother of five children, I love it even more because my own children are growing up with it, too!

As part of Sesame Street’s 50th-anniversary celebration, Sesame Workshop is visiting Detroit TOMORROW for its nationwide road trip tour. On Saturday, June 22nd, many families from the Detroit and metro area will have the opportunity to attend the free event at Lafayette Park.

Tickets were pretty hard to get because of the large, overwhelming response. The free event is now “sold out” and only guests with ticketed time slots will be admitted to the event.

Sesame Street’s Road Trip Tour will feature a family festival and stage show at Lafayette Park. There will be live performances from Elmo and Cookie Monster, as well as other fun, kid-friendly activities.

CITY OF DETROIT PROCLAIMS JUNE 20TH AS SESAME STREET DAY

Yesterday, the City of Detroit issued an official proclamation to commemorate Thursday, June 20th as “Sesame Street Day” and to officially recognize Sesame Workshop’s commitment to early childhood education.

Sesame Street‘s beloved furry, red monster Elmo joined a group of children at Detroit Public Schools Community District Fleming Early Learning Center to highlight Sesame Workshop’s efforts to address the importance of music education. 

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, SVP Curriculum and Content, Sesame Workshop, Anne Parsons, President & CEO, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Ric DeVore, regional president PNC Bank Detroit and Southeast Michigan were also part of the special Sesame Street Day.

Sesame Street Day Detroit
Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, SVP Curriculum & Content for Sesame Workshop is pictured with Elmo with the City of Detroit’s proclamation for “Sesame Street Day.” (Photo courtesy of Sesame Workshop)

DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JOINS ELMO FOR SPECIAL MUSIC PROGRAM

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians joined Elmo to teach the children about the fundamentals of music including rhythm and tempo. The children also had the chance to try out different musical instruments. 

“The City of Detroit is honored to welcome Elmo as Sesame Street celebrates 50 years of making a positive difference in the lives of children,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Sesame Workshop’s visit to Detroit gives our city’s youth the opportunity to showcase the great work Sesame, alongside local organizations, is doing to inspire and educate children.”

On music playing an important role, Dr. Rosemarie Truglio– SVP Curriculum & Content at Sesame Workshop– had this to say:

“Music has always played an important role in how our characters and audiences connect, and this visit to Detroit draws on the city’s deep musical roots to demonstrate Sesame’s commitment – alongside incredible local partners – to keep helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. The team at Sesame Workshop is grateful to the Mayor, our partners, and all those who have made our stop in Detroit a great success as Sesame Street celebrates 50 years of impact.” 

Elmo visits Detroit
Elmo plays musical instruments with children at the special event.
(Photo courtesy of Sesame Workshop)

“We are honored that Sesame Workshop, PNC, and of course Elmo joined our musicians to help spotlight the importance of instilling music in a child’s life at an early age,” said Anne Parsons, President and CEO, Detroit Symphony Orchestra. “Access to and participation in the arts as a supplement to core curriculum in schools helps to develop the whole child, awakens curiosity and creativity, and enhances overall learning capacity.  We salute Sesame Street for 50 years of successfully doing all this and more and we thank them for their impact on children and their families.”

“PNC is proud to join Sesame Workshop and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to shine a light on our shared efforts to help kids build a foundation for children to succeed in school and beyond,” said Ric DeVore, regional president PNC Bank Detroit and Southeast Michigan. “PNC and Sesame Workshop are also marking another exciting milestone this year—15 years of partnership on our Grow Up Great initiative which is about emphasizing the importance of the first five years in a child’s life.”

SPECIAL FILMING OF SESAME STREET IN DETROIT FEATURES LOCAL CHILDREN TO SHARE THEIR LOVE FOR THE CITY

Yesterday, Sesame Street’s production crew also filmed a new segment for the show’s 50th season. Local Detroit children were featured in the new segment to show their love for their community in Detroit!

If you don’t get a chance to attend Sesame Street’s Road Tour at Lafayette Park, then you can catch the special tour if you are traveling this summer.

Here are the cities the Sesame Street Road Tour is visiting this summer:

  • Chicago, IL: Saturday, June 29th
  • Dallas, TX: Saturday, July 6th
  • Kansas City, MO: Saturday, July 13th
  • Denver, CO: Saturday, July 20th
  • Seattle, WA: Saturday, July 27th
  • Los Angeles, CA: Saturday, August 3rd

For more information about Sesame Street’s Road Trip Tour, visit the official website here.

What do you love about Sesame Street?


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    All images courtesy of Sesame Workshop.

    Written by

    Jennifer Hamra

    Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

    Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

    When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

    Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

    Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].