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From Mayberry Days to the Sonker Festival, Surry County’s events offer something for everyone.
Thousands of Andy Griffith fans flock to Mount Airy, N.C., to celebrate the anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show each September during Mayberry Days. Participants enjoy meeting actors from the show. In the past Mayberry Days George Lindsey, known as “Goober,” wooed fans as did Howard Morris or “Ernest T". A range of activities scheduled Thursday through Saturday keep the crowds busy with a talent show, pie eating contest, porkchop sandwich eating contest, bowling and golf tournaments, parade, concerts, and the barbecue contest. In 2004 Andy Griffith unveiled a statue dedicated by TV Land of Andy & Opie going to the Fishing Hole. Also many other guest appearances included Thelma Lou, The Dillards and many more!! Mayberry Days will take place September 27-30, 2012 www.mayberrydays.org
Held in the rural community of Lowgap at the Edwards-Franklin House, the Sonker Festival provides visitors with a day full of sonker eating and flatfooting. A sonker is a deep-dish pie that is served in many flavors including strawberry, peach and cherry. Held the first Saturday of October. This years event will be held: October 7, 2012.
The county’s largest event is the Autumn Leaves Festival, which brings an estimated 200,000 people to Mount Airy during the second full weekend in October. The citywide event has craft shows and concerts taking place in Downtown Mount Airy and the Colonial Mayberry Mall. Visitors can see apple butter being made along with other craftsmen. A car show is also held at Veterans Memorial Park. This years Autumn Leaves Festival will be held in Downtown Mount Airy on October 12-14, 2012
Surry County celebrates its rich musical heritage weekly through jam sessions and concerts. Local radio station, WPAQ 740 AM, is the founder of the Merry-Go-Round, which is the world’s third longest running live Bluegrass show. The public can enjoy this show every Saturday at the Downtown Cinema Theatre, and the admission is free. An annual fiddler’s convention is held the first weekend in June. www.mtairyfiddlersconvention.com
History buffs will enjoy the Civil War encampment and reenactment of a battle on the birthplace of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart in nearby Laurel Hill, Va, in October. During the spring, reenactors portray a Revolutionary battle on the site. This years event will take place October 6-7, 2012.
Children and adults alike enjoy Mount Airy’s Blue Ridge & Beyond during the spring. The Surry Arts Council sponsors this three-day storytelling and musical festival. The arts council also has weekly programming including movies, plays, concerts and ballets at the Andy Griffith Playhouse and The Earle Theatre.
Horne Creek Living Historical Farm holds an annual corn-shucking each October along with other events throughout the year. The rangers at Pilot Mountain State Park and Cumberland Knob off the Blue Ridge Parkway lead guided hikes and programs weekly. Annual Cornshucking Frolic will take place in October 2012.
Event information can be found in the official visitor’s guide for Mount Airy or online. For your free travel packet, call 1-800-948-0949 or visit www.visitmayberry.com