By Lindsay Doty
With a solid weather forecast, hundreds from around the county and the country are expected to turn out for the sixth annual Mayberry in the Midwest Festival taking place May 17-19 in downtown Danville.
The three-day family event pays tribute to “The Andy Griffith Show”— the hit 1960’s comedy based on a fictional small town in Mayberry, North Carolina. The idea of a small-town festival in a tight-knit American community where things move at a slightly slower pace seems to appeal to the masses. The festival is packed with Mayberry-themed activities like a parade on Saturday featuring Sheriff Andy’s look-a-like squad car.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. There will be a free shuttle service from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with parking at Danville High School.
The festival has a wacky stage show with tribute artists from across the country that bring characters like Barney, Gomer, Floyd, Otis and Goober to life to interact with guests.
Three stars from the original show will also make an appearance, including Maggie Peterson Mancuso who played Charlene Darling.
Mayberry in the Midwest will also include the Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast, Opie’s World Kids Zone, a petting zoo, games, old-fashioned food, vendors, vintage cars and the bluegrass band “The Grascals.”
“It brings people to Danville to see what a great community we are,” festival organizer Christa Salyers with the Downtown Danville Partnership said. “Danville is a destination.”
Event organizers say the festival grows every year and they expect around 3,000 people with good weather.
The inspiration for it all is Danville’s Mayberry Café located downtown. “The Andy Griffith Show”-themed diner is a favorite nook for old-fashioned eats.
For a full festival schedule, go to mayberryinthemidwest.com
Ticketed events:
Meet-and-greet dinner
May 17
6 to 9 p.m.
Hendricks County 4-H Complex
$25
Ronnie Schell: A Tribute to Comedy Legends
May 18
2 p.m.
Crawley Business Center
$10
Q &A with Dixie Griffith
May 19
1 p.m.
Crawley Business Center
$5
