The city of Hyattsville celebrated native son Jim Henson at Driskell Park this weekend.
After a Friday night sing-along to “The Muppet Movie,” the city hosted an event on Saturday afternoon at the Jim Henson Courtyard.
After performances by a jazz band, steel drum and dance group from Northwestern High, where Henson graduated, an all-ages youth choir sang “The Rainbow Connection.” Several tables were set up where young kids could make their own puppets.
Henson’s daughter, Heather, also spoke, saying that the Route 1 corridor — including his time in Hyattsville and University Park and meeting his wife, Jane, at the University of Maryland — shaped his life and his art.
The courtyard, which features sculptural planters by artist William C. Culbertson of some of Henson’s most famous puppets, is one of three memorials to Henson along the Route 1 corridor.
The city isn’t alone in celebrating Henson. The Maryland Center for History and Culture in Baltimore is hosting an exhibition about Henson’s work, including puppets, sketches, storyboards, costumes and film and TV clips from May 26 to Dec. 30.
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