Monday, April 20, 2015

It's MAYBERRY Season

Football is over…Basketball and Hockey is winding down…Baseball is in the early stages of their season…so what season is next you ask?  It’s Mayberry Season.

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.

So polish up your hats, dust off your good suit, bring your pens and T-shirts, charge your cameras and get ready for some great entertainment and good wholesome fun. 

Thanks and Happy Motoring!  See you at the events!