On June 3 and 4, tens of thousands of “good ol’ boys and girls” from all over America and the world will gather in Nashville, TN for CMT DukesFest 2006, the annual reunion for “Dukes of Hazzard” fans of all ages.
“It is by far the largest gathering of fans for any television show ever,” says Ben Jones, the former Georgia congressman who played the sidekick mechanic “Cooter” on the show. “Last year we drew about 40,000 folks to Bristol Motor Speedway and we could possibly top that this year because our entire cast is coming for the first time ever.”
Jones, who along with his wife Alma produce CMT DukesFest, says the event is geared for families. “Kids 10 and under are admitted free, and we’ll have a special play area for the youngsters. They are our biggest fans. It’s really cool because they think ‘The Dukes’ is a brand new show.”
This year’s event will feature a parade of more than 100 “General Lees” (the 1969 Dodge Charger which has become a cultural icon in the NASCAR world), a demolition derby, the “world’s fastest lawnmower race,” two days of bluegrass and country music on two stages, as well as appearances and autograph sessions by the entire cast. The stars appearing include: John Schneider (Bo), Tom Wopat (Luke), Catherine Bach (Daisy), James Best (Rosco P. Coltrane), Sonny Shroyer (Enos) and Rick Hurst (Cletus). James Best is best known to fans of “The Andy Griffith Show” as Jim Lindsey, the guitar player in two episodes. In addition to appearances both days, the entire cast will perform on the main stage for a special show Saturday night.
Mayberry Deputy David Browning will join the fun on the Fairgrounds stage at Noon on June 4.
The festivities will conclude Sunday afternoon with the Hazzard County Stunt Team recreating the very first jump of the General Lee, originally filmed in Covington, Georgia in October of 1978.
Advance tickets for the two-day event are $30, and one-day passes are $20.
Weekend passes are $35 at the gate and $25 for the day. Children 10 and under are free, as well as military service men and women with proper ID.
The gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at the gate at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and Music City Motorplex. Advance tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and Cooter’s Place in Nashville. For more information call Cooter’s Place at (615) 872-8358, or visit cootersplace.com.
DukesFest Brings 75,000 Good Ole Boys ‘n Girls to Town
Interview with the Mayberry Deputy
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