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Sesame Place postcard-parade

Sesame Place postcard

The Rock Around the Block Parade debuted at the Sesame Place theme park in 1997, replacing the AmaZing Alphabet Parade. Deejay Jackman Wolf presented a medley of popular songs, many of which featured changed lyrics to include Sesame Street references.

The parade continued to run daily at the park until October 31, 2010.[1] It was replaced by the Neighborhood Street Party parade, which continues to run as the Sesame Street Party Parade.

Floats[]

Rock parade snuffy

The Giant Mr. Snuffleupagus Balloon.

Sesame -Bob

Dancers from American Bandstand appear in the parade during its opening year. In front, Bunny Gibson dances with Bob Shuman. Los Angeles regular Fred Vuittonet appears to the right of the duo.

The Rock Around the Block Parade featured over nine floats which move around the parade route, and stop twice. Occasionally, the floats were moved around, but typically, the lineup went like this:

  • Jukebox - The parade begins with the grand marshal Big Bird, alongside Cookie Monster, Telly, Elmo and Zoe, who all lead the parade on foot. This is followed by the first float, a giant Jukebox, with Jackman Wolf on top DJ'ing the parade. Until 2006, sponsorship signs of various kinds also appeared on this float.
  • Elmo Balloon - A giant Elmo balloon surrounds this float, which is decked out with large trumpets (removed in later years) and seats, which could allow honorary Birdketeers to ride on the float and wave to guests. Tambourines appear on the back.
  • Horns - This musical themed float features large horns. In the parade's first few years, a live performer would appear on this float and play a real drum on it.
  • 25th Anniversary Cake - This float only appeared in the 2005 run of the parade to celebrate the park's 25th Anniversary. It consists of a large birthday cake decked out with anthropomorphic horns.
  • Mr. Snuffleupagus balloon - This float features the largest balloon in the parade, Mr. Snuffleupagus. Because of its size, is the only balloon float that doesn't have any seats. On the back of the float are some tambourines.
  • Oscar's Trashcan - This large float features Oscar popping out of his trash can.
  • Birdland - This float is designed to look like the Birdland night club. Hoots the Owl sits in the middle, while Bert and Ernie, dressed up as beatniks (sunglasses, black shirt and berets) tag along with him, coming off to dance in the street and interact with viewers at points during the show stops. In later years, Bert and Ernie began to wear their standard clothes. On days that the park has a special musical guest, such as Christy Carlson Romano, they appear on this float instead of Bert and Ernie. Hoots would be removed off the float in 2010.
  • Birthday Cake - This float was added for the 2010 run to celebrate the park's 30th Anniversary. It consists of a large inflatable cake with the words "Happy Birthday" on the front. Abby Cadabby rode on this float, waving to the crowd.
  • Count Von Count's Pipe Organ - Count von Count rides this float shaped like a giant pipe organ, occasionally coming off to dance and interact with guests.
  • Elmo's Radio Drum Kit - This float is shaped like a giant radio. On the top is a large drum set that is played by Elmo.
  • Tropical Bird - A large tropical bird float features Rosita and Prairie Dawn in tropical garb. This float was removed for the 2010 run.
  • Big Bird balloon - The final float of the parade consists of a tall Big Bird balloon, with honorary Birdketeers riding and waving to guests.

Songs[]

Gallery[]

Special guests[]

  • At a 1997 launch year event, dancers from American Bandstand appeared. Various Philadelphia and Los Angeles regulars appeared at the event.

Videos[]

Sources[]

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