The anticipation of getting to a Mayberry Event is
so exciting. Many times the anticipation
of an event builds to such a high level of expectation, that the event itself
seems anti-climactic. Not so with a
Mayberry event. The “season” is upon us
as we start the spring and summer months and move through the major Mayberry
Festivals.
Here’s what’s in store for you this year as “Mayberry
Season” kicks off:
Apr. 23 and 24, 2015: Eagles’ Wings fundraiser event
in Tuscaloosa, AL. Mark your calendar
for this annual event that supports Eagles’ Wings efforts to assist adults with
disabilities. A golf tourney is on Thurs., and the dinner, silent
auction, and entertainment, including the Tribute Artists are also slated into
the fun. For info, call (205) 345-5484 or visit www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.
May
1-2, 2015: The next
event on the agenda as far as major festivals is Mayberry comes to Westminster. Mayberry tribute
artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan
“Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox, Bob “Briscoe”
Mundy, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown, and Michael “Gomer”
Oliver, Eric “Mayor” Lowery, Tim “Goober” Pettigrew, Christie “Andelina Darling" McClendon,
and Bob “Briscoe Darling” Mundy”). There
will be look-a-like contests, trivia contests, Mayberry food, memorabilia, parades,
car shows, music, Tribute Artist shows, concerts and “stars” from the Andy
Griffith Show in Westminster, SC. LeRoy McNees will be on hand as TAGS alumni
and special guest. ATTENTION: David Browning's new book, "We have Extra Security Tonight: My Life as the Mayberry Deputy" will be on sale for the first time at any live event. You want to be there to get your copy! For more info, visit www.mayberrywestminster.com or
check out Mayberry Comes to Westminster, S.C., on Facebook.
May 15-17, 2015: Mayberry in the Midwest returns to Danville, Ind. Among the festival’s highlights are
the parade, the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals, and performances by the Mayberry
Tribute Artists. The special guest stars this year are Maggie
Peterson (Charlene Darling) and her Darling TV brother, Rodney
Dillard, and the Dillard Band, who will do a concert
on Saturday. Karen Knotts will also perform her
“Tied Up in Knotts” show on Sat. and Sun. afternoons. Visit www.mayberryinthemidwest.com
for more info and updates.
June 5 and 6, 2015: David
“Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, and
Christie “Andelina Darling” McLendon are back on the truck (or maybe off the
wagon in one case) for Mule Days
in Gordo, Ala.
Aug. 22: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by
several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy”
Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest
T.” Fox, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown, Michael “Gomer”
Oliver and Bob “Briscoe” Mundy”). ) for
a concert benefiting the Montgomery
County DARE program on Saturday at the James H. Garner Center in Troy,
N.C. Tickets for the show are $20 for reserved seats and $15 for general
admission. Tickets for children 6 years-12 years old are $10.
For more info, call Jeff Branch at (704) 985-6987, e-mail jbranch205@windstream.net, or visit
www.bluegrassintroy.com.
Sept. 20-23: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in
Black and White in
Ridgecrest, N.C. (just outside Asheville) is a Bible study event drawing on the
biblical truths and life applications found in “The Andy Griffith Show.” To register, call Ridgecrest Conference
Center at (800) 588-7222 or visit www.lifeway.com/mayberry.
Sept. 24-27: 26th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. This year marks 25th Anniversary of
Mayberry Days, and also the 55th Anniversary of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
This is the BIG ONE…the granddaddy of them all. So many events, shows, Tribute
Artists, Actual TAGS Stars and concerts…to many to mention here. For info,
updates and tickets, visit www.surryarts.org .
These are just snippets from the
extensive list of events and special concerts and performances involving
Mayberry folks. All I can say is that
the actual events FAR exceeds the anticipation of going to them. Make it your mission to visit one of these
event this year.
For more complete information and ALL
of the Mayberry Events, go to the Calendar at www.imayberrycommunity.com. While there, go ahead and join up to be a
part of the iMayberry Community. ..a great interactive site hosted by webmaster Allan "Floyd" Newsome.
Thanks and Happy Motoring! See you at the events!
