Sesame Street stopover

Five-year-old Natalie Whitson was disappointed that Elmo didn’t shake her hand but she enjoyed the Sesame Street live show anyway.

The show came to Cannon Air Force Base last week to present three free shows.

Dawn Whitson said the show coming so close to home was a great opportunity for her and her daughter.

“It was absolutely fabulous,” she said. “This kind of thing helps younger kids with deployment.”

Angela Valdez said she knew the children who attended loved the show.

“I think it was something good,” she said.

Her daughter, 7-year-old Clarisa Valdez, said the show was funny.

“I remember seeing them on TV,” she said. “I still watch it with my baby sister. I thought it would be scary (to see in person) but it wasn’t.”

Airman and Family Services Flight Chief Denise Vanderwarker said the show was a great collaboration between the USO, Sesame Street Live and Force Support Squadron’s Youth Programs.

“Younger children get left out sometimes as far as deployment goes,” she said. “This is one way it can make the distance a little shorter.”

Vanderwarker said the first showing drew 350, the second 250 and the third about 350.