1988: Maria and Luis marry; Big Bird balloon debuts in Macy’s parade. 1989: Muppets creator Jim Henson begins negotiations with Disney to sell Muppets, excluding the ones on “Sesame Street.” ...

FILE - The Sesame Street Big Bird balloon sways in the wind during the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia on Nov. 23, 2006. The first Sesame Place opened almost 40 years ago outside ...

The Bird is the word in Schenectady this week. Big Bird, who lives in the live action, colorful world of television’s “Sesame Street,” will be one of the major attractions in Saturday’s ...