Granville Celebrating 4th Mayberry Lucy Day This Weekend

The city of Granville will celebrate “I Love Lucy” and “The Andy Griffith Show” with its fourth annual Mayberry/Lucy Day events this weekend.

Granville Museum President Randall Clemons said the town gained recognition as the Mayberry Town of Tennessee after performing Mayberry Plays each year. He said the weekend will include performances from members of the shows’ casts like Keith Thibodeaux who played characters in both shows. Clemons said both shows still have practical applications and entertainment value, which makes it an honor to celebrate them.

“It’s a major impact for us as we have people who are coming from all across the United States to be a part of this and to visit us,” Clemons said. “And we have become known as Tennessee’s Mayberry Town. Our museum, Mayberry Lucy Museum is very well-known as well.”

Clemons said Dixie Griffith, Andy Griffith’s daughter, will present one of Griffith’s guitars that will be loaned to the town. He said $7 tickets for the two-day event are still available.

“We are the only place in the United States that does the Mayberry Theatre,” Clemons said. “So it’s really unique, we have all of the characters, and we perform the shows. And at these particular plays, all of the tribute artists will be entertaining at the intermission between the two 30-minute shows that we do.”

He said Saturday will include trivia contests, grape-stomping contests, lookalike contests, and a National Squad Car Competition. He said squad cars from across the country will be exhibited and entered into competition in the afternoon. He said there will also be a Mayberry Lucy Parade at 3:30pm.

“Keeping the memories of these actors alive and the show is part of what Granville is about,” Clemons said. “And so, we are very honored to have the opportunity that we have had with both shows and the support that we have received from the actors’ families that were on it, as well as the actors that are still living, as well as the tribute artists that perform each one of these characters across the United States.”

He said those interested can go online to Granville’s website to see a full lineup of events for both days and purchase tickets.