Weekend Road Trip: Mayberry Days Are Coming!

I couldn’t be more excited! September is right around the corner and that means it’s time for Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy, N.C., hometown of Andy Griffith. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Andy Griffith Show and it’s cast members. I grew up watching the show and many of my memories are centered around it. Also, I frequently use the show’s Andy and Barney characters as a teaching tool for many of my presentations and workshops.

The town of Mt. Airy, the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry, will be hosting several events featuring some of the original cast of The Andy Griffith Show. The celebration begins on September 24 and continues through September 27.

Thelma Lou will be there, along with guitar playing Jim Lindsey, Charlene Darling and the Darling Boys, Ernest T’s Sweet Romena, and Karen Knotts, daughter of Don Knotts (Barney Fife).

The Darlings

In addition to an evening concert by the Dillard Brothers (the Darlings), there’s a checkers tournament, a golf tournament at the Cross Creek Country Club, a dance with music by Jim Quick and the Coastline Band (beach music), a one woman comedy show called All Tied Up in Knotts featuring Karen Knotts, a southern gospel concert, autograph signings, horseshoe tournaments behind the Andy Griffith Playhouse, a pork chop sandwich eating contest, an apple peeling contest (remember Mr. Tucker?), a pie eating contest, and much more, including an Earnest T rock throwing contest!

Karen Knotts

I know I’ll be there. I’m also thinking of talking to members of the town council, the local arts council, and the administration from the Mt. Airy Police Department. How would you guys like to attend a future Writers Police Academy in Mayberry? How cool would that be! The scenery is gorgeous (Mt. Airy is located at the base of Pilot Mountain), and I’m sure we could find a few rooms at the Y.

Pilot Mountain