Sesame Place Celebrates 35th Anniversary with New Parade, Rides and More

Pennsylvania's Sesame Place is celebrating its 35th Birthday this year, and is planning a celebration to honor it that will last all Summer.  The 14 acre park originally opened in the Summer of 1980, and now offers visitors a selection of both water and dry rides, live entertainment and a famous recreation of Sesame Street's most popular locations.

Sesame Place is going all out for its 2015 birthday celebration, adding new rides, a parade and also plenty of special decorations for the event.

The park's entrance will welcome guests will a birthday makeover, including bright balloons, garland, and a giant birthday cake (seen here).  The park's famous Sesame Street character topiaries will also be decorated for the birthday party, as well.

Special photo spots will be built for guests to have their photos taken with the characters, always one of the highlights of a visit to Sesame Place.

The character parade at the park has been around for many years, however it is being renovated for 2015 to become the Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade.  The parade features three performance stops that focus on "letters, numbers, and friendship along with energetic contemporary and classic Sesame Street tunes."  The parade will also feature special birthday decorations such as "sparkly cupcakes" and a new song.  The interactive experience is a ton of fun for families and their kids, and will be performed twice most days, once in the afternoon and again in the evening.

The past few seasons Sesame Place has added a handful of temporary rides to the park in the early and late season when the water attractions are closed.  This year the park has purchased three brand new children's rides, all specifically themed for the park.  Drawings of them can be found above, and it appears as thought they are Zamperla attractions.  Sesame Place will place the rides in the area near the Count's Splash Castle prior to Memorial Day, and also again in the Fall and Christmas seasons.  The three new rides will bring the park's total mechanical ride count to 14 - impressive since most of us remember when the park added its first!

Other changes at the park in 2015 include upgraded amenities, such as a total renovation of Elmo's Eatery - now featuring a new menu, more seating and table service.  For more information on the park's 35th Birthday season, visit Sesame Place's official website.