Thousands Expected At Unveiling Of 'Andy Griffith Show' Statue
Tribute To Popular 1960s Show To Be Unveiled Tuesday In Pullen Park
POSTED: 12:37 a.m. EST October 27, 2003
UPDATED: 12:42 a.m. EST October 27, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Up to 3,000 fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" are expected to crowd a grassy plaza in downtown Raleigh Tuesday morning for the unveiling of a bronze statue dedicated to the popular 1960s show.
They may also catch a glimpse of Andy Griffith himself.
The statue of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his son, Opie, on their way to the fishin' hole is brought to the city by cable network TV Land. In a deal Raleigh and the network signed in March, TV Land agreed to build and maintain the statue at no cost to the city.
New York-based Studio EIS created the life-size piece. It is the third statue for the network.
Organizers do not expect the event Tuesday to attract live coverage from national shows, which occurred in 2002 when it installed a statue in Minneapolis of the Mary Richards character in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
But local officials say they hope it will help attract more tourists.
The unveiling is drawing people from as far away as Nebraska and Illinois, said Jim Clark, a freelance writer and founder of the show's fan club, who is traveling from Nashville, Tenn., for the 30-minute ceremony.
"People are really excited about it," he said. "Any tribute to 'The Andy Griffith Show' is well-deserved, we think."
TV Land is paying for the ceremony, which will include live bluegrass music.
Co-star Don Knotts, who played Deputy Barney Fife, was originally scheduled to attend but won't make it. He is starring in a production of "On Golden Pond" in Kansas City.
Griffith, who is from Mt. Airy, now lives on the coast in Manteo. Some in Mt. Airy have grumbled that it is a better spot for the statue.
The unveiling is scheduled to start about 8:15 a.m. in Pullen Park. But organizers recommend visitors get there by about 7:30 to get a spot on the lawn near the park's carousel and Howell Lake.
Seating will not be provided, nor will there be any parking available at the park.
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Topic: JimH - Breaking News (Read 1593 times)