Sesame Place Celebrates 35th Birthday

People from around the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond streamed through the front gates at Middletown’s Sesame Place theme park Thursday morning, marking the destination’s 35th birthday.

With song, treats and a party vibe, Sesame Place celebrated their 35th year in operation. Just past the front gates, a large inflatable cake and a real, custom designed cake greeted parked visitors. A special birthday celebration was planned for season pass members Thursday evening.

Republican State Rep. Frank Farry, a former Sesame Place employee, presented park officials with a citation marking the birthday on Thursday.

The park, based on the “Sesame Street” television program, has remained a popular destination for parents and kids throughout the year.

“Thirty five years ago, the park was a third of the size, had no characters here and was filled with kid-powered activities,” Jeff Davis, vice president of operations for the park, told LevittownNow.com in May. To show the park’s age he noted that when Sesame Place opened, it featured a computer gallery filled with dozens of Apple II systems that let young visitors play games.

A book that showcases the park’s history recently became available and is for sale online.

Throughout the spring and summer, Sesame Place has sold birthday themed cupcakes, held special events and promotions centered around the park’s birthday.