Contact:  Christine Mallette

               Executive Director

              

 

Date: July 6, 2004

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

"Miss Indiana," Sarah Wiley will be at "Mayberry in the Midwest III" this Friday evening!

 

New Castle, IN - The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that the newly crowned Miss Indiana, Sarah Wiley, will be in attendance at this Friday evening's (July 9, 2004) "Mayberry in the Midwest III" event.  Miss Indiana will participate in the caravan of "The Andy Griffith Show" (TAGS) stars which transports the stars of this famous show in replica Mayberry Sheriff cruisers.  The caravan arrives at the Arts Park, the event's venue, at about 6:30pm.  Wiley will also help display the items for the charity auction held later in the evening.  This auction's proceeds will benefit the Henry County United Fund and the Art Association of Henry County . 

 

"Mayberry in the Midwest III" celebrates the wonderful fun and cherished memories of the loveable "The Andy Griffith Show" characters. This is the third and most probably the final year for this fun event.  Those scheduled to appear are many of last year's cast:  George Lindsey (Goober), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker),  "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 Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason, Opie's best friend and "Little Rickey" on "I Love Lucy"), Ronnie Schell (Duke Slater from Gomer Pyle USMC), Barbara Stuart (Miss Bunny from Gomer Pyle USMC), and Arlene Golonka (Millie-Howard Sprague's girlfriend).  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," "Kenneth Junkin as "Otis," Phil Lee as "Ernest T. Bass," Jeff Branch as "Howard Sprague," Tim Pettigrew as "Goober," and Jamie Sullivan as "Opie Taylor."  This again, as it was last year, is the largest gathering of impersonators (or tribute stars) at any Mayberry themed event.

 

The stars and Miss Indiana 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 (July 9).  This event is being called, "The City of New Castle presents an Evening of Mayberry."  The charity auction, conducted by Mark Mallette, of Mallette & Assoc., Inc. Auctioneers and Appraisers, features many "Mayberry" signed memorabilia and other wonderful items, benefiting 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.  Adding to the fun this evening is a "Squad Car Caravan Show" and a Question and Answer session with the stars. Gates open for this ticketed event at 5:45 pm. 

 

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 3 hour show features each of the mentioned actors. Doors for this ticketed event open at 6:00pm.  The show is a wonderful array of stories, character portrayals, skits and blue-grass music. Similar to a Branson, Missouri-type of show, this amazing experience is brought to you by the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau and a number of sponsors.

 

This is the third year for "Mayberry in the Midwest."  Just as the last two years, the interest has been overwhelming!  In fact, last year, the event received national coverage including CBS National doing half their interviews with the former stars of TAGS for their 2003 Fall Sweeps Special, "The Andy Griffith Show: Back to Mayberry." This year we have newspapers coming from as far away as Missouri.  Ticket sales this year have also been quite an accomplishment with ticket purchases from states as far away as Tennessee and Kansas.  The state of Indiana alone saw over 60 cities represented.  This wide array of states and cities only added to the briskness of ticket sales.  Friday night's event is 75% sold out and Saturday night's event is almost 60% sold out.   Tickets to both evening's events are still available. 

 

"Mayberry in the Midwest III" is a wonderful weekend of family fun and entertainment.  Don't miss your opportunity to see "Miss Indiana" at the Friday evening event!  Tickets to both Friday evening's "An Evening of Mayberry" (Charity auction, question and answer session and dinner) and Saturday's "Cast Reunion Show" are still available.  Call the Henry County CVB office at to order tickets.  Tickets will also be available at the door each night. Friday evening's tickets are $20 each and Saturday evening's tickets are $30 each.  Cash, VISA or MasterCard are accepted payments.  For more information on other events including autograph sessions, log on to mayberryinthemidwest.com.

 

 

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