Page 143 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 LISBON EDITION

the guided hour-long ride around town in a 1965
Ford Galaxie 500 squad car (priced at $50 when
we visited in January—for up to four passen-
gers). That's on our list for next time!
Die-hard Mayberry fans can spend the night at
Andy Griffith's childhood home at 711 E. Hay-
more Street, where he lived from ages 8 to 18.
During our three-hour visit we had a chance to
tour the Andy Griffith Museum (next door to the
Andy Griffith Playhouse), which was fascinating,
with photos, scripts, clothing, scene replicas,
and mementos from his acting days. Visitors are
handed a Sheriff's “badge” to wear during the
tour. And there are statues of Andy and Opie in
front with their fishing poles! A good photo op!
In September, the annual Mayberry Days
draws thousands with a weeklong series of
events, including a parade, concerts, actor ap-
pearances, contests, competitions, and other ac-
tivities for the family.
As Ron writes in his book about the last day of
filming in 1968, Andy spoke to the crew and ac-
tors: “I want to thank y'all for your good work
and you didn't just make a successful TV show.
You brought the town of Mayberry to life. In do-
ing that, you brought my childhood to life again,
week after week. I can't tell you what that
means to me.”
“He was proud of his roots in humble Mount
Airy,” Ron continues. . .”Mayberry was an ideal-
ized version of Mount Airy as Andy remembered
it...Andy was proud of where he came from.”

IF YOU GO

Visit Mayberry
www.visitmayberry.com
Mayberry Days, September 18-24, 2023:
www.mayberrydays.com
www.surryarts.org
Squad Car Tours:
www.tourmayberry.com
Stay in Andy Griffith's childhood home:
www.andygriffithhome.com

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