WAYNE FISH
For 20 years, the Sesame Place Classic has made a strong commitment to the future of Bucks County by assisting its best and brightest college-bound high school seniors.
The Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club continues to be the driving force behind the event, held each May at the theme park in Middletown Township, with proceeds going to the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund.
This year, the bond with the local community will be made even stronger due to a new partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the Bucks County Herald.
Look for even more energy and excitement at the 21st annual Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic at 7 a.m. Sunday, May 19, with three races – the featured 5K, the one-mile fun run/walk and the 50-meter kids’ sprint.
The Classic has raised more than $400,000 since 1999 and that number will go up this year. The Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund benefits top boy/girl scholar-athletes from 19 area high schools, including newly added New Hope-Solebury.
“We are thrilled to be a partner in the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic,’’ said Bucks County Herald Publisher Joseph G. Wingert. “We look forward to being a part of the growing interest in the race, especially since it benefits deserving Bucks County scholar-athletes.’’
The Classic offers participants plenty of attractions, including finisher medals for all three races, a visit from the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. truck, a commemorative T-shirt and, best of all, a one-day free admission pass to Sesame Place.
The Herald will be on hand to provide coverage, including stories, results and photographs.
The big week culminates with the annual Kiwanis-Herald Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet at the Bucks County Sheraton Hotel on May 22, with the aforementioned scholar-athletes being honored at that time.
Look for the Herald to provide story and photo coverage of this event as well.
The Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club is excited about the new partnership with the Herald.
“Kiwanis and the Herald as ‘partners’ are working together to achieve a common goal,’’ said Kiwanis Club President Mary Berman. “By pooling our resources, we both have been able to advance a similar mission.
We are able to broaden what we do for the youth of our community.’’
More information on the Classic can be found by visiting
sesameplaceclassic5k.com.
Longtime race organizer Dixie Rhodes also welcomes the Herald as a beneficial addition.
“I am thrilled we are partners with the Bucks County Herald,’’ Rhodes said. “Our Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic is a blend of a family get-together and serious competitive race. The Herald family and the Kiwanis family are a natural fit. We are both interested in children and the community. It’s a great fit.’’
Race committee member Ernie Nocito knows the Herald will help promote the Classic’s cause throughout Bucks County.
“It is tremendous to have the Herald as partner with the Kiwanis in support of the Sesame Place Classic and the scholar-athlete awards,’’ Nocito said. “The Herald has proven it is committed to our community and this reflects its ongoing devotion with its alliance to this great cause.’’
