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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2002
“Mayberry in the Midwest” is a Hit!
By: Christine Mallette, Director of Tourism and Marketing
Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Well, you have heard about it and now has the state of Indiana. “Mayberry in the Midwest” is officially a hit and we still have until July 19th and 20th to welcome this wonderful event filled weekend and all its visitors. This two-day weekend is the culmination of a number of events, two of which are ticketed events. The state of Indiana has over 70 cities represented in ticket sales. In fact, once the seemingly local event hit the Associated Press news wire, the phone calls poured into our office. The interest was so great that Friday night’s charity auction and dinner with the stars of Mayberry (taking place at the Henry County Arts Park) sold out in a week’s time. Saturday’s cast reunion show at Bundy Auditorium has less than 150 tickets available at the deadline of this article. But ticket sales were not limited to Indiana.
The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has taken calls from as far away as Nebraska and Texas. In one day we had orders from California and New York. It seems that this show and its endearing characters have really touched a chord in everyone’s hearts. Our staff spends a good portion of our time during phone orders listening to individuals’ personal stories of watching “The Andy Griffith Show” with their parents and now watching with their own families. It is phone conversations such as these that make hosting an event of this magnitude such a pleasure. The staff at the CVB office knew we had a wonderful event on our hands, but to be able to listen to genuine stories of fond family memories has made all the work going into planning and hosting this event seem even more worthwhile.
And what an eventful weekend we will have! As many of you know, we have already contracted George Lindsey who played “Goober.” Stars of the show also scheduled to appear and perform are Howard Morris (Ernest T. Bass), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Jean Carson (Fun Girl Daphne), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), James Best (Jim Lindsey-a small guitar playing role, but best known as “Rosco P. Coltrane” on the “Dukes of Hazard”), a “Barney” impersonator, and a “Floyd the Barber” impersonator. The CVB is also pleased to announce some recent developments. “The Dillards” whom many know as the mute Blue Grass band “The Darlings” from “The Andy Griffith Show” will also be in attendance and performing Saturday evening. What many do not know is that there are four original band members, three of these members still perform as “The Dillards” for special events such as “Mayberry in the Midwest.” These members include Dean Webb, Doug Dillard and Rodney Dillard. Mitch Jayne, also one of the original band members, does not perform with the band any longer. But for knowledgeable fans, many of which belong to “The Andy Griffith Show Re-run Watchers Club,” the idea of seeing all four original members again is truly exciting. The Henry County CVB is pleased to announce Mitch will be on the same stage as the performing band members for the first time in three years at “The Mayberry in the Midwest” Cast Reunion Show on Saturday, July 20th.
As mentioned, this weekend will be filled with many different events, some of which have a “Mayberry” theme. Friday afternoon the Rose Bowl is hosting a “Mayberry-theme” White Elephant Bowling tournament for the first 140 people signed up. This early afternoon tournament will give locals and visitors alike enough time to have some fun bowling and enough time to get ready for Friday night’s event at the Arts Park. The Friday “Charity Auction and Dinner with the Stars” has already sold out, but for those lucky enough to own a ticket, there will be plenty of entertainment. The stars of the show will be in attendance, but not performing this evening. Performing is a wonderful band that won the Marion County Fair’s talent contest this past year. “Lindsey Ridener and Big Sky” sponsored by New Castle KFC, will be the entertainment for the evening. Another feature of this wonderful evening is the charity auction where all proceeds from the auction will go to the Henry County United Fund and the Art Association of Henry County.
Saturday is another fun filled day of activities. Someone may want to start their weekend off with a mile walk or challenge yourself to a 15K run. Longer distance bike rides are also scheduled for the “Mayberry RFD Stride and Ride” starting at the New Castle Chrysler High School Fieldhouse at 9am. Those who want the chance to get the stars of the show’s autographs are invited to a free admission Autograph Session taking place at the New Castle Middle School Cafeteria. This is a two-hour event that begins at 10am and will end at 12 noon. Baker Park is the locale of an Antique Car Show. Members of the Central Indiana Car Club will feature cars from the mid 20th century. This event is sponsored by the Henry County Tourism Commissioners and will begin at 10am and last until 4pm. Other events that will accompany this arrangement will be announced in the upcoming months and can be found on the event’s website: mayberryinthemidwest.com.
The weekend’s feature 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 music. Similar to a Branson, Missouri type of show, this is a once in a life time experience brought to you by your Convention and Visitors Bureau and a number of sponsors.
As mentioned, the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is the title sponsor of this wonderful event, but we could not do it without the help of many wonderful sponsors. The following sponsors have signed on to bring this unique event to New Castle: Producing Sponsors (top level) - Ameriana Bank and Trust, Best Western Raintree Inn, Citizens State Bank, New Castle KFC; Associate Sponsors - City of New Castle, Creative Renovations, Inc. (Shelbyville), Macer-Hall Funeral Home, New Castle Community School Corporation, Properties Unlimited; and Participating Sponsors - Anderson Lock & Security, Baker Insurance Agency, Cardinal Healthcare Pharmacy, EZ-Look.com Websites & Advertising, Goodwin Bros. Auto Co., Inc., Henry County R.E.M.C., Henry County Saddle Club, Hudson’s Rental and Sales, 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 & Service. The Media Sponsors are The Courier-Times newspaper, UPN 23 television in Indianapolis, and WMDH radio. If you have a sponsorship interest and we have not contacted you, please call the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau at .
This event has received interest from all over the state as well as the country. Henry County and New Castle have a very unique and wonderful opportunity to have a lot of fun and to welcome fellow fans of this great American icon called, “The Andy Griffith Show.” Call or stop into our office for the few remaining tickets available for Saturday evening’s Cast Reunion Show. The Henry County CVB office is located in the Castle Pointe Shoppes on the East-side of Memorial Drive in New Castle for in-person ticket sales. Call to order tickets over the phone. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!
Rodney, Doug, Andy
Mitch & Dean
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CONTACT:
Christine Mallette, Director of Tourism & Marketing
Henry County Convention & Visitors Bureau
2020 South Memorial Drive, Suite I
New Castle, IN 47362
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