City to transform into Mayberry, Ky.

VINE GROVE, Ky. (AP) — A small central Kentucky city plans to transform into Mayberry, the fictional town where “The Andy Griffith Show” was located.
Mayberry Days begins Friday in Vine Grove with impersonators dressed as Mayberry residents, live music, food booths and an arts and crafts show. Episodes of the 1960s TV show will be shown after dark.
The festivities will continue on Saturday and include a Mayberry character look-alike contest, a checkers tournament and a pig-calling contest.
In addition, Billy Ray Latham, who played with the band The Darlings on the show, is expected to perform with a local bluegrass band.
City events coordinator Donna Broadway told The News-Enterprise (http://bit.ly/IPNcoc) that the event celebrates the lasting effect the show has had.
“Every one of his shows would teach you something about morals or character,” she said.
Broadway said she thinks most local residents want to continue to honor and practice the values of the show.
She said preparing for the festival has brought the community even closer together. She said she’s been in contact with all area agencies to request that they sponsor a part of the festival, such as a pie-judging contest and a bounce house.
Police officers and firefighters are operating a “jail,” where visitors can have someone locked up for $2. And they can be released for another $2.
“I told them to be lenient and if someone doesn’t have any money, please let them out,” Broadway said.
Money collected by the jail will go to the junior firefighter program.
Broadway said she hopes people who attend have fun and feel as though they are visiting the Mayberry portrayed on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
“It’s going to be great,” she said.
If the event is successful, Broadway says the city will probably transform itself again next year.
Information from: The News-Enterprise, http://www.thenewsenterprise.com

Published in The Messenger 5.08.12

Print