For about a year now visitors to Strong National Museum of Play have been able to see magazine illustrations and comic strips by Stan and Jan Berenstain, who became beloved by children everywhere thanks to their series of Berenstain Bears books. This weekend kids can experience the world of the Berenstain Bears themselves as Strong opens its newest permanent exhibit, "The Berenstain Bears: Down a Sunny Dirt Road."
Fans of Strong's massive Reading Adventureland will feel right at home at "Down a Sunny Dirt Road," which features large-scale 3D playsets based around various Berenstain Bears settings. Familiar Berenstain-style illustrations line the walls, and life-sized sculptures of the bears are set amidst the Bear Country Main Street, which is lined with stores and businesses inspired by the books. Kids can design a quilt at Mama Bear's Quilt Shop, build crafts at Papa Bear's Woodworking Shop, grab a stack of flapjacks at the Bear Family Restaurant, get those chompers checked at Dr. Bearson's Dentist Office, and hang out at Sister and Brother Bear's Club House.
On opening weekend co-creator Mike Berenstain will make a special appearance, and festivities will run Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, noon-5 p.m.
Strong National Museum of Play is located at 1 Manhattan Square Park. Regular museum hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m. Admission costs $7.50-$9.50. For more information call 263-2700 or visit museumofplay.org.