Contact:      Christine Mallette                   
                   Executive Director
                   Henry County Convention & Visitors Bureau
                  

Date:           May 28, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"The Andy Griffith 2K4 Marathon!" will air this Memorial Day on UPN Indiana!     New Castle, IN -  As part of their media sponsorship for "Mayberry in the Midwest III,'UPN Indiana (WNDY-TV 23) will air twelve episodes, or six continuous hours of "The Andy Griffith Show."  Beginning at 8am and ending at 2pm, viewers will have the opportunity to win tickets to the ever popular, "Mayberry In The Midwest IIII."  Once again taking place in New Castle, Indiana, this year's "Mayberry" event is the weekend of July 9 and 10, 2004.  The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the presenting sponsor for this family-oriented event, is proud to announce that all viewers for Monday's marathon will have a chance to win a number of tickets to the event.  One grand prize winner will get a meet and greet with the stars and a nights'stay at the Best Western Raintree Inn! 

"Mayberry In The Midwest IIII" (MB III) is a two-day event celebrating the wonderful fun and cherished memories of the loveable "The Andy Griffith Show" (TAGS) characters. The stars of the now world-wide syndicated show, scheduled to appear and perform are George Lindsey (Goober), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), The Dillards (The Darling Boys), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), and Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker), all of whom are returning from last year's "Mayberry In The Midwest III."  Joining this year's scheduled to appear cast line up are, Ronnie Schell (Duke Slater from TAGS spin-off "Gomer Pyle USMC"), Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason-Opie's best friend and "Little Ricky" on "I Love Lucy"), Barbara Stuart (Miss Bunny from "Gomer Pyle USMC") and Arlene Golonka (Millie-Howard Sprauge's girlfriend).  Fan favorite David Browning, "The Mayberry Deputy" is returning as the "Barney Fife" impersonator.  Also joining him are returning impersonators portraying "Floyd the Barber," "Otis," "Ernest T. Bass," "Howard Sprague,"  "Goober," and "Opie Taylor."   This is again (just like last year's MB III), the largest gathering of impersonators (or tribute stars) at any Mayberry themed event,

Tickets to this year's events are almost half sold out for both ticketed events.  Just like the last two years of this event, ticket sales have been brisk and the popularity is vast.  This year's ticket sales include purchases from as far away as Kansas to North Carolina and almost 40 cities in Indiana are represented.  Friday, July 9 the City of New Castle presents an "Evening of Mayberry."  This evening event includes a charity auction and dinner with the stars of "The Andy Griffith Show" at the Henry County Arts Park.  The event begins at 6 pm and tickets are $20 each.  Saturday, July 10 is an approximately three hour "Cast Reunion Show" performed by the stars at 7 pm at Bundy Auditorium at a cost of $30 each.  Tickets are available at the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Office during regular business hours.  The CVB is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm (EST) and is located at 2020 S. Memorial Dr. (State Road 3), Suite I in the Castle Point Shoppes.  Cash, Visa and MasterCard are acceptable payment.

Watch "The Andy Griffith 2K4 Marathon" this Memorial Day from 8am to 2pm on UPN Indiana, for your chance to win tickets to this year's "Mayberry In The Midwest IIII."  For more information on this year's "Mayberry" event, log onto mayberryinthemidwest.com for more details and future updates or call .  You don't want to miss out on your chance to attend "Mayberry In The Midwest IIII," this July 9 and 10.

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