Can You Tell me How to Get to Sesame Street in Oakland?

Sesame Street will be a street in Oakland, for at least one day.

Bob McGrath, who has entertained millions of children and parents alike for 38 years as on Sesame Street, was named grand marshal of the Comcast Oakland Holiday Parade on Dec. 6.

The parade, which is coined "America's Children's Parade" and contains some 90 entertaining units, will march down the streets of Oakland beginning at 2 p.m. at 11th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, working its way up to 20th and Broadway, and then turning right to Lake Merritt.

This year's parade is the ninth annual, and it's already become one of only three Christmas parades in America to be broadcast nationally.

This year it will be picked up by public broadcasting stations throughout the nation and in parts of Canada, as well as by stations throughout California.

McGrath was recently inducted into the 2002 Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is the recipient of the American Eagle Award by the National Music Council and the Fame Award by the National Association of Music Educators for furthering the cause of music education.

Last year's grand marshals, the "Raggs," five delightful singing dogs that are now being featured on public television stations throughout the country, will be back this year for a special live performance.

Live television commentary will be handled by popular comedian Mark Curry, who has been making people laugh for more than two decades, and by Claudine Wong, a reporter.

Curry is most famous for his starring role in the TV hit "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper." He also had a recurring part as Robert Soulard, Drew's boss, on "The Drew Carey Show," and was the host of Comedy Central's "Don't Forget Your Toothbrush."

Curry is currently the host of "Mark Curry's Hot Monday Nights," a weekly comedy show in the James Moore Theatre of the Oakland Museum of California.

The parade will feature numerous high school marching bands, almost 40 children's favorite cartoon and storybook characters, giant balloons, colorful floats, and Santa Claus himself.

Last year more than 100,000 spectators lined the streets of Oakland to view the parade.