FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2003

"Mayberry In The Midwest II" is sold out!

New Castle, IN - The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that for the second year in a row both ticketed events for the "Mayberry in the Midwest " weekend have sold out. "Mayberry In The Midwest III" is a two-day events filled weekend celebrating the wonderful "The Andy Griffith Show." Many of the memorable characters will be appearing in New Castle, Indiana the weekend of July 11 and 12, 2003. Those scheduled to appear are many of last year's cast: George Lindsey (Goober), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), 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, "The Dillards" (The Darling Boys-the mute mountain band), and of course their "sister" Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling). Joining this year's scheduled to appear cast line up are Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker), Jean Carson (Fun Girl Daphne), Bernard Fox (Malcolm Merriwether), and Margaret Kerry (Christmas episode characters "Bess Muggins" and "Helen Scobey".) Fan favorite David Browning, "The Mayberry Deputy" is returning as the "Barney Fife" impersonator. Also joining him are returning impersonators Allan Newsome as "Floyd the Barber" and "Kenneth Junkin as "Otis." Making this event the largest gathering of impersonators (or tribute stars) at any Mayberry themed event are the additions of Phil Lee as "Ernest T. Bass," Jeff Branch as "Howard Sprague," Tim Pettigrew as "Goober," and Jamie Sullivan as "Opie Taylor." Tickets for the Friday evening "Charity Auction and Dinner with the Stars" at the Henry County Arts Park sold out in a month's time in mid April. The Saturday, July 12th "Mayberry in the Midwest Cast Reunion Show," performed by the stars, is taking place at Bundy Auditorium. The show had twice as many tickets available and sold out on April 30th. This pace of ticket sales is faster than last year by just over three weeks!

The stars will be in attendance at the first event planned for the weekend, an "'Evening of Mayberry" presented by the City of New Castle. This evening consists of a charity auction and dinner with the stars at the Henry County Arts Park Friday evening. The 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. "The Young Relics with Mike Fleming" are the featured performers of the evening. This local favorite will have a "Mayberry feel" to their music that evening and the band will entertain the crowd during dinner. This evening starts 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 approximately three hour show features each of the mentioned actors. Doors open for this sold out event at 6:30pm. 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 to see your favorite stars of this wonderful show and it is brought to you by the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau and a number of sponsors.

As mentioned, the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is the Title Sponsor of this fantastic event, but this event would not be possible 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- City of New Castle; New Castle KFC, Ameriana Bank and Trust, Best Western Raintree Inn (the hotel of the stars), and Creative Renovations, Inc.; Associate Sponsors- Citizens State Bank, Macer-Hall Funeral Home, New Castle Community School Corporation and Team Pride; and Participating Sponsors - Anderson Lock & Security/ASI, Baker Insurance Agency, Bill's Diner, Sherman and Kathy Boles, Cardinal Healthcare Pharmacy, EZ-Look.com Websites & Advertising, Goodwin Brothers Auto, Henry County Saddle Club, Hudson Rental & Sales, Leakey Insurance Agency, MainSource Bank, The Mayberry Cafe, The Pfenninger Agency, Schroeder Chiropractic, Steve Alford All-American Inn, and Subway . The media sponsors are UPN Indiana television, WMDH radio, and The Courier Times newspaper.

Most of these sponsors have returned from the inaugural "Mayberry in the Midwest"in 2002 which was a huge success. The event received national coverage including a brief mention on Paul Harvey's "Noon News and Comments" in May of 2002. Ticket sales were also quite an accomplishment with ticket purchases from states as far away as New York and California. The state of Indiana alone saw over 80 cities represented. This wide array of states and cities only added to the briskness of ticket sales. Friday night's event sold out in one week last year and Saturday night's event sold out in two months.

Interest in the event this year has also been very steady as is evident by the amount of hits on the website in 2003. Since January of this year to date, the Mayberry In The Midwest III website (mayberryinthemidwest.com) has seen 86,370 hits. Ticket sales have also been vast in geography with all four areas of the United States represented with Washington in the West , North Carolina in the East , Minnesota in the North and Texas in the South. In total, 19 states were represented in ticket sales with Indiana alone representing 76 different cities.

As with last year's Mayberry in the Midwest, this year many events are happening in conjunction with this wonderful weekend including a number of autograph sessions and a newly added "Mayberry Fest at Baker Park," featuring "Mayberry" themed booths and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's July picnic both on Saturday, July 12th. All autograph sessions, as well as the "Mayberry Fest" and the Hall of Fame picnic are open to the public. More details will be forthcoming in the future months. Log onto mayberryinthemidwest.com for more details and future updates or call .

"Mayberry in the Midwest II" is a wonderful weekend of family fun and entertainment. Ticket sales began for Friday evening's, July 11th, "Evening of Mayberry: Charity Auction and Dinner with the Stars" and Saturday evening's July 12th "Mayberry in the Midwest Cast Reunion Show" on Wednesday, March 19, 2003. Tickets for both events are now sold out. For more details on the other scheduled and open to the public events, please 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. If you weren't fortunate enough to purchase tickets, the Henry County CVB still encourages everyone to participate in the many activities planned for this weekend.

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Contact: Christine Mallette
Director of Tourism and Marketing