Blippi Wonderful World Tour coming to Allentown Fair is 'everyday learning' with fun, creative associate says

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It's one thing for Blippi, the curious and colorful character, to teach preschoolers on YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max and more.

It's quite another to bring the energetic and educational antics — not to mention the trucks and other vehicles — that have made Blippi a global sensation to a stage near you.

You can find out how well it translates when Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour hits the grandstand stage at Allentown Fair at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

Tickets, at $30 each, remain available at the fair website.

"With Blippi, the content in general inspires curiosity in preschoolers truly around the world by creating content and experiences that are relatable and accessible and make learning fun," Maci Bass, creative associate for Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, said in a phone call from Houston, Texas.

"And Blippi’s just a worldwide sensation. Just the platforms of Netflix and Amazon and YouTube have over a billion monthly views, which is insane.

"And being able to bring that content into a live show is truly special for the kids and the families and for us, as well.”

Blippi The Wonderful World Tour poster

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'Live in front of children everywhere'

Blippi was created by Stevin John, who posted the first episode featuring the character — wearing an orange-and-blue beanie, suspenders and bowtie — with tractors in 2014.

But Blippi caught far more attention starting in 2020, when he began being distributed on other platforms by Moonbug Entertainment.

Blippi now is available in more than 20 languages, including American Sign Language, and is distributed by more than 30 global broadcast and streaming partners.

Bass said the idea to take a live Blippi show on the road started with Blippi: The Musical in 2021.

"We had the idea to bring the YouTube sensation alive and take him on the road and get him live in front of children everywhere," said Bass, who started as a performer in the show.

“That was such a success that now Blippi is back with more songs and more excitement and more performances in a different way.

“So it started as one musical and it transformed into Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour. And each time we have a version of it, the audiences just get more and more excited.”

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Blippi The Wonderful World Tour

'A very selective process'

Bass said the show features “Blippi and his best friend Meekah and others on stage, ready to dance and sing and play."

"I’d say be prepared for some audience interaction, and be prepared for lots of singing and dancing and just having great fun," she said.

"And look out for all of our favorite vehicles to grace the stage, as well.”

But mixed in with the fun, Bass said, “I think it’s just everyday learning. It’s the ultimate curiosity adventure.

"So we do counting, we have the monster trucks and everyone’s favorite — we have excavators and garbage trucks — and we’re really getting the kids up and on their feet just to get the wiggles out.

“A specific lesson? I’d just say the everyday adventure of the things that Blippi introduces you to and introduces the kids to.”

And, of course, “They can expect the songs from Blippi that everyone knows, sung by Blippi and his best friend, Meekah.”

Bass said that she worked with Blippi creator John on "Blippi The Musical," but since the touring Blippi shows have branched out, other actors have been hired to portray Blippi on the tours.

“We do a lot of research on Blippi as a character, so anyone who plays Blippi has to really embody that character and that spirit," Bass said.

"And then it’s a very fine selection process that creators of the character also are very involved in. It’s a very selective process when we’re looking for someone to play the Blippi character.”

'Truly, truly special'

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Maci Bass

Just how big the Blippi’s brand has become is that Blippi's buddies Meekah and Juca have spun off into their own shows, and he releases popular music tracks and has in-demand toys available at major retailers.

Bass said her role has become one of someone who “kind of makes sure everything’s going smoothly."

"I’m very involved with it in making sure it’s up to standards and Blippi’s still Blippi," she said with a laugh. “And that we’re still bringing the same wonderful show wherever we bring it.”

Apart from Blippi, Bass — a New York-based artist — has performed in theater productions of "Hairspray," "The Rocky Horror Show" and "Cabaret."

But she said working with Blippi is “truly a lot of fun."

"This is the most that I’ve worked with family audiences, and there’s really nothing that beats that," she said. "Being able to bring joy to the families and the kids.

"I mean, they’re our most connected audience, for one — anything you do, they just love it, they eat it up. That’s truly, truly special.

“And it’s really special for me, personally, that I was able to start as an actor in the show, and then grow with the show and grow with the brand and become one of the Blippi directors and become really close and personal with the brand itself.

“So that’s been really exciting and special for me. And just to have the opportunity to grow with it is truly fun.”