VIENNA - The Wyngate Senior Living Community welcomed a familiar face to many Friday night.
Deputy Barney Fife, portrayed by Wes Fondale of Beckley, worked the crowd by handing out fake tickets and sending some folks to jail.
Those who found themselves in this predicament only had to answer a trivia question to win their freedom. The questions were about the small town and actors from "The Andy Griffith Show."
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Photo by Mandi Cardosi
Deputy Barney Fife, portrayed by Wes Fondale, writes Jim Fox a fake ticket and sends him to jail.
Fondale spoke in the same high-pitched voice as Don Knotts, the actor who portrayed the deputy in the 118 episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show."
In an effort to keep the music of the 1960s era alive, The Rockin' Dancers provided entertainment.
The dancers musical director Tina McPeek said Friday was the third time they have participated in the Wyngate Mayberry Days event. McPeek teaches at the senior center.
"We come to dance," she said. "We go all over to dance to the '50s, '60s, and do Christmas shows."
Waverly residents Jim and Rebecca Fox said they have attended the event for about three years, discovering it in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Rebecca was selling limited edition Andy Griffith books to the crowd, while Jim was being given a fake ticket by Fife, portrayed by Fondale.
This year, the Mayberry Days were all about the late actor, Andy Griffith.
Griffith, who passed away July 3 on Roanoke Island, N.C., was given a tribute by attendees as they launched balloons in his honor.
Fondale paid tribute in remembering how the actor brought so many smiles to the faces of his audience. He remembered the foundations of the show, and the ability for the show to contain moral values and life lessons.
"In memory of Andy Griffith," said Fondale. "Probably, and it's safe to say, there's never been a cleaner show than that one."
The event included Opie Taylor's fishing pond, an Opie look-a-like contest, and Aunt Bee's cake walk, where winners received cupcakes.
Wyngate Senior Living Community activities director Tracey Trippett said a deputy's car matching one used in the fictional town of Mayberry was used at various locations for Mayberry Days.
The car was owned by the Wyngate.
Wyngate tries to allow area residents to relive their past through this program, Trippett said.
