Memories of Mayberry Set for May 3

Our 8th Annual Memories of Mayberry Festival is set for Saturday, May 3, around Valley Head’s town square. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Mayberry’s favorite characters, Floyd the Barber (Alan Newsome); Deputy Barney Fife (Anthony Wood); and Ernest T. Bass will be strolling the streets of Mayberry again this year. Have your photo taken with them and in front of Barney’s sheriff’s car. We will also have our jail in front of Town Hall, so be thinking of someone you would like to “lock up.”

This year’s festival t-shirts feature the new slogan, “What the World Needs is More Mayberry” and come in lavender and graphite (gray). Shirts are only $15 for small through XL and $20 for 2X through 4X. All previous years’ shirts will be on sale for only $5.

Whitney Tinker will open the event by singing the National Anthem. The main stage, on the field in front of town hall, will feature the country-rock band Stranded, who’ll play multiple sets throughout the festival. In front of the pavilion on Commerce Avenue, catch the square dance club and cloggers.

Numerous food trucks, including Froggy Freeze, DB Enterprises, Mi Casita, and A & R Concessions, will sell tasty meals and treats. Also, numerous baked goods and candy vendors will be on hand. Valley Head’s own Tiger’s Inn and the new Side Street Deli will be open for lunch that day.

Some 30 craft and retail vendors will sell homemade items such as wood crafts, jewelry, hand-crocheted animals, potholders, farmhouse décor, Scentsy, artisan soaps and resins, barn quilts, porch signs, and much more.

This year’s festival will once again feature a classic car Cruise-In along Commerce Avenue and Winston Street. Be sure to walk around the corner to see all the beautiful cars. If you plan to enter the Pie Baking Contest, please have your pies at Town Hall by 9 a.m. that morning. And don’t forget to enter Aunt Bee’s Homemade Dill Pickle Contest. You may bring your pickles any day prior to the festival or by 9 a.m. on that Saturday. There are no fees to enter the pie and pickle contests.

There will be plenty of activities for the kids, including pony rides, children’s train ride, blow-up slide, and a bouncy house. Bring your entire family for a day that’s sure to be filled with fun. For more information, check out the festival Facebook page, “Memories of Mayberry Festival.” This year’s proceeds will go into the Town of Valley Head Events and Festivals Fund.

Valley Head holds its Town Council meeting the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend. I am so excited to share our news with you, and I am proud to call Valley Head home. I hope you will come visit us soon.