Contact:  Christine Mallette

               Executive Director

              

 

Date: July 6, 2004
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

An additional autograph session has been added to the schedule of events for "Mayberry in the Midwest III."

 

New Castle, IN - The Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that an additional autograph session has been added to the fun filled weekend of "Mayberry in the Midwest III."  This autograph session will have the scheduled to appear "Andy Griffith Show" (TAGS) stars at three Henry County area attractions.  The "Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame" (New Castle), "Wilbur Wright Birthplace & Interpretive Center" (Millville- near Hagerstown) and the "Hoosier Gym" (Knightstown) are the attractions where at least two Mayberry stars (at each location) will be present for autographs.  This autograph session is planned for Friday, July 9 from 1:30pm until 2:30pm at the above locations.  Those interested in purchasing an autograph should arrive early. 

 

"Mayberry in the Midwest III" is a two-day event celebrating the wonderful fun and cherished memories of the loveable "The Andy Griffith Show" characters.  Friday, July 9 is a charity auction and dinner with the stars of "The Andy Griffith Show" at the Henry County Arts Park.  Saturday, July 10 is a cast reunion show performed by the stars at 7pm at Bundy Auditorium.  Both of these ticketed events still have tickets available.  The autograph sessions are the only opportunity for those who do not have a ticket to the two evening events, to interact with the stars.

 

This is the third and most probably the last year for "Mayberry in the Midwest."  Just as the last two years, the interest has been overwhelming!  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." Ticket sales were also 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 are still available and may be purchased at the Henry County CVB office (in person or by calling ) or at the door at each event.  Cash, VISA or MasterCard are accepted.   

 

Interest in the event this year has also been very steady as is evident by the amount of hits on the website in 2004.  Since January of this year to date, the Mayberry in the Midwest III website (mayberryinthemidwest.com) has seen over 140,000 hits for an event that can only seat about 1,700 (by combining both events'capacities).  Ticket sales have also been vast in geography with Arizona in the West, Minnesota in the North and Mississippi in the South.  In total, 10 states were represented in ticket sales with Indiana alone representing 62 different cities. 

 

As with last year's Mayberry in the Midwest, this event will happen in conjunction with a wide variety of Mayberry themed and other activities.  In addition to the two scheduled autograph sessions (Friday afternoon at various attractions and Saturday morning at the New Castle Middle School Cafeteria), a newly added "Yesteryear," featuring themed booths, an Aunt Bee's Pie Baking Contest, an antique tractor show and a Mayberry in the Midwest Car Show will be taking place on Saturday, July 10 at Baker Park.  Also happening this day is the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's July picnic.  Each event is within walking distance of the 10am until 12noon autograph session taking place at the New Castle Middle School Cafeteria.  All autograph sessions and the Baker Park activities are free admission.  The July picnic will cost $6 for a meal and admission to the museum. All autograph sessions as well as the other activities are open to the public.  Log onto mayberryinthemidwest.com for more details or call . 

 

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 (top level) - City of New Castle, New Castle KFC, Ameriana Bank and Trust, Best Western Raintree Inn (the hotel of the stars), Creative Renovations (Shelbyville); Associate Sponsors - Anderson Systems Integrations, Citizens State Bank, Macer-Hall Funeral Home/Meek Florist, New Castle Community Schools, Team Pride; and Participating Sponsors - AAA Travel-Muncie, Bill's Diner, Creative Internet Consulting, Crime Stoppers, Goodwin Brothers Auto. Co, Inc., Henry County Saddle Club, Hudson's Rental and Sales, MainSource Bank, Mayberry Cafe, Metaldyne, The Pfenninger Agency, Raintree Muffler Shop, R. E. Construction, Schroeder Chiropractic, Steve Alford All-American Inn, Subway/TCBY and Walnut Ridge Family RV Sales and Service. The media sponsors are WMDH radio, the Courier-Times newspaper, and UPN Indiana television.

 

"Mayberry in the Midwest III" is a wonderful weekend of family fun and entertainment.  Stop by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Interpretive Center, and the Hoosier Gym on Friday, July 9 from 1:30pm until 2:30pm for an opportunity to purchase an autograph of one of the "Andy Griffith Show" characters.

 

Mayberry in the Midwest III

Friday, July 9

Added Autograph Session

1:30pm - 2:30pm

 

 

The following attractions will have the following scheduled to appear stars of "The Andy Griffith Show" at their venue.  Admission is free, but star may charge for their autograph. 

                                                  

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (New Castle, IN):

George Lindsey ("Goober")

Keith Thibodeaux ("Johnny Paul Jason"-"Opie's'best friend; "Little Ricky" on "I Love Lucy")

Elinor Donahue ("Ellie Walker")

David Browning ("Barney" impersonator)

Phil Lee ("Ernest T. Bass" impersonator)

 

Wilbur Wright Birthplace & Interpretive Center (Millville, IN):

Betty Lynn ("Thelma Lou")

Ronnie Schell ("Duke Slater" on TAGS'spin-off "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.")

Barbara Stuart ("Miss Bunny" on TAGS'spin-off "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.")

Tim Pettigrew ("Goober" impersonator)

Jamie Sullivan ("Opie Taylor" impersonator)

 

Hoosier Gym (Knightstown, IN):

The Dillard ("The Darlings")

Maggie Peterson ("Charlene Darling")

Arlene Golonka ("Millie"- "Howard Sprauge's" girlfriend)

Allan Newsome ("Floyd the Barber" impersonator)

Kenneth Junkin ("Otis Campbell" impersonator)

Jeff Branch ("Howard Sprague" impersonator)

 

'The Barney Book" book signing by Dick Wolfsie (Ch. 8  News reporter, syndicated columnist, and author)

 

 

 

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