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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE This just in…The Dillards will be performing and in attendance at the “Mayberry in the Midwest” events weekend! New Castle, IN -- The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that “The Dillards,” also known as “The Darling Family” from “The Andy Griffith Show” will be performing at “Mayberry in the Midwest” in New Castle, Indiana the weekend of July 19 and 20, 2002. Appearing in only 6 episodes, (numbers 88, 94, 96, 121, 139, and 193) “The Dillards” are a world-famous blue-grass band in their own right. Accomplished musicians before their appearance in television’s town of “Mayberry,” “The Dillards” became a house-hold name even though they portrayed a mute mountain band on the beloved show. “The Dillards” join a cast line-up of George Lindsey (Goober), Howard Morris (Ernest T. Bass), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Jean Carson (Fun Girl Daphne), James Best (Jim Lindsey-a small guitar playing role, but best known as “Rosco P. Coltrane” on the “Dukes of Hazard”), a “Barney” impersonator, a “Floyd the Barber” impersonator, and of course their “sister” Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling). “Mayberry in the Midwest” is a two-day event celebrating the wonderful fun and cherished memories of the loveable “The Andy Griffith Show” characters. Friday, July 19th is a charity auction and dinner with the stars of “The Andy Griffith Show” at the Henry County Arts Park. Tickets for the Friday event sold-out in one week. Saturday, July 20th is a cast reunion show performed by the stars at 7pm at Bundy Auditorium at a cost of $25 each. Ticket sales began Thursday, March 14th at the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Office during regular business hours. Ticket sales have gone extremely well and as of Friday, March 29th, there are less than 300 tickets remaining. Hurry in before Saturday night’s tickets are sold out! The CVB is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and located at 2020 S. Memorial Dr. (State Road 3), Suite I in the Castle Point Shoppes. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are acceptable payment. These stars will be in attendance at the first event planned for the weekend, a Charity Auction and “Dinner with the Stars” at the Henry County Arts Park Friday evening. This evening will be filled with fun and many activities. The charity auction, featuring many “Mayberry” signed memorabilia and other wonderful items, benefits the Henry County United Fund and the Art Association of Henry County. “Lindsey Ridener and Big Sky” (sponsored by New Castle KFC) are the featured performers of the evening. This country band that won the Marion County Fair’s Talent Contest will entertain the crowd while they enjoy dinner. Also taking place that evening is a “Squad Car Show” and an “Indiana Artists” exhibit at the Art Center. Gates open for this ticketed event at 6pm. The weekend’s featured event is the “Mayberry in the Midwest” Cast Reunion Show. Taking place at Bundy Auditorium on Saturday evening at 7pm, this 2 ½ hour show features each of the mentioned actors. The show is a wonderful array of stories, character portrayals, skits and blue-grass music. Similar to a Branson, Missouri-type of show, this is a once in a life time experience brought to you by the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau and a number of sponsors. Tickets cost $25 per person. This is sure to be a fun and unique evening, buy your tickets before they are gone! As mentioned, the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is the title sponsor of this wonderful event, but this event would not happen if not for the help of many wonderful sponsors. The following current sponsors have signed on to bring this unique event to New Castle: Producing Sponsors (top level) - Ameriana Bank and Trust, Best Western Raintree Inn (the hotel of the stars), Citizens State Bank, New Castle KFC; Associate Sponsors- City of New Castle, Macer-Hall Funeral Home, New Castle Community Schools; and Participating Sponsors - Anderson Lock & Security, Baker Insurance, Cardinal Healthcare Pharmacy, EZ-Look.com, Goodwin Brothers Auto. Co, Inc., Henry County REMC, Henry County Saddle Club, Leakey Insurance Agency, Moe's Auto Sales, New Castle Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, OffiSource, Peoples Trust Company, The Pfenninger Agency, Schroeder Chiropractic, and Walnut Ridge Family RV Sales and Service. The media sponsor is WMDH radio and the Courier-Times newspaper. Log onto mayberryinthemidwest.com for more details and future updates on the many events happening in conjunction with this wonderful weekend. “Mayberry in the Midwest” is a wonderful weekend of family fun and entertainment. Ticket sales began for the July 19th, Friday evening Charity Auction and Dinner with the Stars and Saturday evening’s July 20th “Mayberry in the Midwest” Cast Reunion Show on Thursday, March 14, 2002. Tickets are sold-out for Friday evening and only a few hundred are left for Saturday evening. Don’t miss your chance to see the newly added “The Dillards” in a live performance on Saturday night. Call the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) at or or stop into the CVB office located at 2020 S. Memorial Dr., Suite I in New Castle. Tell your friends and don’t miss this wonderful opportunity. # # # CONTACT: |