Spring Break
'How do you get to Sesame Street?'
City to rename street near Kiwanis Park
Jason Hardimon/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
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Forty years later, "Sesame Street" has been broadcasted in 125 countries, has won 118 Emmys and is still widely considered the most popular children's series on TV.
An estimated 77 million Americans watched the series as children.
To honor the 40th anniversary of the longest running children's TV show, the street running through Kiwanis Park will be permanently named "Sesame Street," at 2 p.m. Sunday.
In addition, street signs will be mounted on lampposts at each entrance to the park.
The measure was proposed and unanimously passed by Charleston's City Council on Oct. 20, said Mayor John Inyart.
"It was done mainly to bring some notoriety to the 40th anniversary of the show," Inyart said. "We also thought it would be fun for the city's young citizens."
Inyart will read a proclamation to kick off a day of activities hosted by WEIU-TV and Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU-FM, in co-operation with the city of Charleston, the Charleston department of parks and recreation, and the Charleston tourism fund.
Hit Mix 88.9 FM will broadcast live, and WEIU-TV will provide an opportunity for guests of all ages to record their favorite Sesame Street memory.
From 2 to 3:30 p.m., guests can meet the "people in your neighborhood," including members of the Charleston Police and Fire departments.
Fun and games will be available at "Elmo's World" physical activity area, while "Big Bird's Rest Nest" will offer a place to relax. Refreshments will be available at the "C is for Cookie" snack booth.
Guests are also encouraged to dress as their favorite Sesame Street characters from past or present and participate in a costume contest at 2:45 p.m. in the park's pavilion.
WEIU will also accept donations of coats, gloves/mittens and winter hats for Hope of East Central Illinois.
Jeni Huckstep, educational services coordinator for WEIU-TV, is helping organize Sunday's event.
"We [at WEIU] really care about the community, and we wanted to provide families with a fun safe environment where they can come and just enjoy the day," Huckstep said.
Huckstep has a reason to be proud of the educational programming on PBS.
"I have two children at home who always watch PBS," she said. "I believe very strongly in PBS, and what public broadcasting stands for."
A Newsday article reported that studies have shown that children who watch "Sesame Street" start school more prepared to learn, know their letters, understand basic phonics and have a concept of math.
Joan Ganz Cooney, the show's creator, said in the same article, "every piece of education would be entertaining, and every piece of entertainment would be educational."
In this way, the show revolutionized educational programming.
Episode 4,187, the first of the 40th season, will be aired Tuesday. The show will feature guest stars including First Lady Michelle Obama, Cameron Diaz and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Award-winning creator and performer from "In the Heights."
Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7942 or
jmhardimon2@eiu.edu.
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