Among the many characters that have appeared are Sesamstrasse's Samson and Rumpel, as well as walk-around versions of Ernie and Bert. Occasionally when in Hamburg (the Sesamstrasse studio's location), the original Ernie and Bert puppets have been used for the stage show, performed by their German performers. Parts of the tour were broadcast on tour sponsor TV channel KI.KA. The idea to the tour arose, when Sesamstrasse celebrated its 30th anniversary with a huge, public birthday party in Düsseldorf on June 15, 2003. Among the participants were Samson, Rumpel and host Nils Julius.