'Sesame Street' to film in Pittsburgh in June

“Sesame Street” will celebrate the iconic program’s 50th anniversary with a visit to Pittsburgh in June.

As part of a nationwide road trip, “Sesame Street” will host a free family festival and stage show on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park on June 15. The show’s production crew will also film a new segment for the show’s 50th season with local children and engage people and places important to the community.

It’s all part of a 10-city tour that will also take the show to New York, Washington and Los Angeles among other cities. The Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the TV show, will be in Pittsburgh June 13-15.

“The city of Pittsburgh is honored to welcome the Muppets this June as they celebrate 50 years of making an impact,” said Mayor Bill 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.”

We can’t wait to meet friends from around the country this summer during the Sesame Street Road Trip! Will you be joining us? #ThisIsMyStreet https://t.co/zzLlwDjHtB pic.twitter.com/FCte1N856A

— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 16, 2019

Over the last half-century, “Sesame Street” has certainly made an impact on children’s television. But taking the program on an extensive road trip is something new for the show.

“It brings together who we are – from the show to the local community organization to the fans – in a way that we had absolutely never done,” said Steve Youngwood, the chief operating officer of Sesame Workshop. “It’s amazing. You think 50 years and things we’ve never done before. This level of local engagement in a comprehensive way is something we’ve never done. And we’re really, really excited.”

While in town, “Sesame Street” characters such as Big Bird and Elmo will visit landmarks and community organizations across Pittsburgh and celebrate with live performances and kid-friendly activities at the free-festival.

The 50th season of “Sesame Street” will premiere on HBO in November with a primetime special that will include new takes on classic segments and visits from “Sesame Street” icons.