The Surry Arts Council is preparing to host the 12th annual Mayberry Days Sept. 27-29 to commemorate The Andy Griffith Show’s anniversary. The event is a tribute to the show, in which Andy Griffith played a sheriff in the small town of Mayberry. Andy Griffith grew up and Mount Airy, and it’s no coincidence that Mount Airy reminds people of Mayberry.
Tickets for this year’s events are selling out quickly, now that word has spread about the festival’s first appearance from the rock-throwing nut from the hills named Ernest T. Bass. “I’m just looking forward to meeting the people and seeing the country,” said 81-year-old Howard Morris, who played Ernest T. Bass and now lives in Los Angeles. “They treat me like a king,” he says of his fans. “It’s kind of remarkable, because I only did five shows.”
The festival will feature horseshoe pitching, a barbecue cook-off, a bowling tournament, an apple-peeling contest and a variety of other activities.
“It’s a very happy festival,” said Tanya Rees, executive director of the Surry Arts Council, sponsor of the event.”You’re laughing the whole time and crazy things are happening and people are eating themselves to death.”
This annual event brings fans and friends from all over the county together to meet TAGS Guests like:
Betty Lynn – Thelma Lou: Mayberry Days welcomes Barney’s sweetheart (and ultimately his wife) to Mount Airy.
Howard Morris – Ernest T. Bass: He also directed episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and has starred and directed in hundreds of television shows, movies, and commercials. He’s a nut!
Maggie Peterson-Mancuso – Charlene Darling: Maggie returns “home” to Mount Airy for her 5th year at Mayberry Days.
Doug Dillard – Jebbin/Doug Darling: Doug’s streak of Mayberry Days concerts continues, having played every year since the beginning!
LeRoy Mack McNees – The County Boys: Christian bluegrass singer LeRoy was a member of The Kentucky Colonels when Andy Griffith asked his band to play with him in the Mayberry On Record episode. He will join Doug Dillard in concert.
George Spence – Frank: Andy Griffith’s long time friend and actor who play “Cousin” Gloria’s fiance in Guest in the House returns for his 4th Mayberry Days.
Tickets for Colonel Tim and Doug Dillard’s evening concert have sold out, but this does not mean you can’t enjoy an evening of great entertainment. The Surry Arts Council is pleased to announce the return of two popular events debuted at Mayberry Days last year:Michael Hoover in “Memories of Elvis” and the Sac Community Theatre presents “smoke On The Mountain.”
Tickets for all the Mayberry Days events are on sale now. A complete schedule of events is linked to www.visitmayberry.com. Contact The Surry Arts Council , PO Box 141, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or, call the Arts Council office Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm at (336) 786-7998 or (800) 286-6193.
Related Stories & Links
2001 Mayberry Days Schedule
Mount Airy Visitors Center
Return to Christian Activities Mayberry Section
