How You Can Celebrate The Life Of Sam Simon By Visiting "Springfield"

Sam Simon was one of the creative innovators who helped bring "The Simpsons" to life, and although he departed the show after its fourth season, his creative mark has remained ever since.

At the young age of 59, Simon passed away on Sunday in his Los Angeles home due to colon cancer complications.

Simon was the one who took Springfield off the drawing pad and brought it to life; it was with his creativity "The Simpsons" and the other characters came to be. Sam believed writers should work collectively, and as a result, it brought a more lifelike atmosphere to the work.

The voice actors appreciated the way he made them read their parts at table reads, like how they would for sitcoms, because he wanted it to be a collaborative process, not diced and choppy, like how it would be if the voice actors went into the recording booth to simply say their lines.

Simon wanted more; he wanted all the players to work together as a family, albeit a cynical, complex and unconventional family. Nonetheless, this family has kept us laughing for more than two decades.

If it was not for Simon, his creative genius and love for animation, we may not have the fictional town of Springfield.

Universal Studios Hollywood is gearing up to celebrate a 50-year milestone, and with that, they are introducing "Springfield" as the themed environment set out to immerse visitors and fans in the world of “The Simpsons” like never before, just as Sam envisioned.

If you enjoyed "The Simpsons" as a kid or even as an adult, this is your chance to get into “Springfield,” as it is your opportunity to see Simon's creativity physically brought to life.

“Springfield” at Universal Studios Hollywood will feature many of Sam's iconic landmarks made famous throughout the series’ mind-boggling 26 seasons, including Springfield Elementary School, Comic Book Guy’s Android Dungeon, the cooling towers of Mr. Burns’ Nuclear Power Plant, the Springfield Police Station, the Aztec Theater and, of course, the Kwik-E-Mart.

An all-new “Springfield” culinary excursion will allow visitors to enjoy the places that helped it earn the distinction of “The Fattest Town” by the Duff Book of World Records.

Guests will enjoy a “Genuine Clown-Endorsed Meal” at Krusty Burger, grab a slice that’s “a-nice” at Luigi’s Pizza, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” at Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck or a platter of Chicken Thumbs at Cletus’ Chicken Shack.

To satisfy one’s sweet tooth, guests can visit Phineas Q. Butterfat’s Ice Cream Parlor, or go nuts for a Homer-sized helping of drool-worthy donuts at Lard Lad.

The “Springfield” experience will also feature Moe’s Tavern, a Duff Brewery and a Duff Beer Garden, where guests will be able to savor a non-alcoholic Flaming Moe and relax with an authentic Duff Beer.

While there will be new characters appearing throughout the theme park, Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob will also make their debuts in “Springfield,” entertaining and interacting with guests and, in the case of Sideshow Bob, keeping a vengeful eye out for Bart, who will be there with seasoned favorites Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie Simpson.

This is an opportunity to celebrate the life and work of Simon, to see his creations brought to life and to immerse yourself in them.

The theme park will allow fans of "The Simpsons" to have a place where they feel like they are physically in Springfield, directly in Sam's mind and even more, in his heart.