Red Sweater Day 2016
Save the date for Red Sweater Day on Sunday, May 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the WPSU Studios in Innovation Park. This is the day we honor Fred Rogers' work and commitment to public television. Come and explore educational displays and activities, and wear red to join with the WPSU Family to be part of the largest Red Sweater Day photo ever!
WPSU will be collecting sweaters for the Salvation Army. Please bring your donation of clean, gently-used or new sweaters and coats for kids, teens, and adults.
Mr. McFeely
Visit with Mr. McFeely and get his autograph.
Make a Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood button.
Pick up a WPSU Red Sweater Day 2016 collector's pin (first 250).
Have your caricature created by Cory Geishauser — from the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood art department.
Take your picture with the Daniel Tiger standee and Trolley.
Register to win a Daniel Tiger gift basket.
Sing-along accompanied by members of the Allegheny Ukulele Kollective.
Stay for the largest Red Sweater Day group photo at 3:15!
2:00 p.m. Event opens – registration in the Outreach Building lobby.
Ukulele music by members of the Allegheny Ukulele Kollective.
Indoor and outdoor activities
2:45 p.m. Join us outside for a Mister Rogers Neighborhood sing-along with members of the Ukulele Kollective led by Melanie Ramsey, and Girl Scout Troop 46502 of Hollidaysburg.
3:00 p.m. Welcome remarks, Mr. McFeely appearance, and results of Sweater Drive
3:15 p.m. Line up for group photo
Event photos will be posted on WPSU's Facebook page and Flickr gallery.
Watch the Centre County Gazette for an ad with our group photo in the May 5 edition!
Photos from Red Sweater Day 2015
Visit WPSU's Flickr page for more photos from the event.
Why we celebrate Red Sweater Day
On May 1, 1969 Fred Rogers, host of the longtime children's television landmark Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, appeared in Washington before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications to express his disagreement with a proposal by President Richard Nixon to cut federal funding for public broadcasting from $20 million to $10 million.
He spoke from his heart and made a very personal address which affected the committee; particularly Rhode Island Senator Pastore. The chairman even said that, though he was "supposed to be a pretty tough guy," Rogers' fervent plea had given him "goosebumps." Pastore effused: "I think it's wonderful. I think it's wonderful," and, after a slight pause, he made his conclusion clear: "Looks like you just earned the twenty million dollars."
More than forty years later, Fred Rogers' compelling words about the power of television to help children grow up, dealing sensibly and humanely with others even when they are feeling angry, still resonate in living rooms, school rooms, and neighborhoods nationwide.
Watch Fred Rogers' testimony »