Mount Airy, NC – Rub elbows with actors who shared screen time with Andy and Barney on “The Andy Griffith Show” during the weeklong Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, Sept. 18-24. But perhaps most important, spend some time enjoying simpler pleasures depicted in the beloved sitcom.
The foothills town of Mount Airy makes an idyllic backdrop for watching the famed Mayberry Days parade on Saturday morning, Sept. 23; eating pork chop sandwiches at Snappy Lunch; tossing rings at pickle jars, aka Aunt Bee’s kerosene cucumbers; and listening to live bluegrass, country and beach music. Activities, contests and concerts take place daily.
Other actors from the show returning to Mount Airy for this year’s festival include Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason), Rodney Dillard (one of the Darling boys), Ronnie Schell (Bernie the furrier and Duke Slater in “Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C.”), Dennis Rush (Howie Pruitt), and Margaret Kerry (Helen Scobey).
Dan Roebuck, who played Cliff Lewis for the final three seasons of “Matlock,” will be in Mount Airy for a Saturday evening presentation; he’ll also be a special guest for the country buffet dinner on Thursday evening.
“Mayberry fans love coming to Mount Airy to learn more about ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and Andy Griffith,” says organizer Tanya Jones of the Surry Arts Council. “They truly enjoy all things Mayberry, especially interacting with the actors and others who knew them.”
Additional guests with connections to “The Andy Griffith Show” include Karen Knotts, daughter of Don Knotts; Dick Atkins, producer of “Murder in Coweta County;” Dreama Denver, wife of the late Bob Denver who played Dud Wash; and the family of “The Andy Griffith Show” writer Harvey Bullock.
For a full schedule of events, go to www.MayberryDays.com. Some events require tickets, which can be purchased on the website. Additional event info and tickets are also available by calling 336-786-7998.
