Has Mayberry Days surpassed SC Apple Festival?

The Apple Festival has been the signature event for Westminster for decades. But now the question is raised whether another festival, three years old, has surpassed the Apple Festival in popularity. Tom Rusk, organizer for Mayberry Comes to Westminster, told city council last night that the event to remember the days of the popular TV show headlined by Andy Griffith and Don Knotts draws as many as 10 thousand visitors and can take its place to rival the Apple Festival in popularity. Mayor Rick McCormick says of all Westminster events, he notices more visitors at Mayberry Days from outside Westminster than at others. Last night the city council agreed to allocate additional moneys to help the organizers offset their costs. Rusk projects this year’s event—which will include Don Knotts’s daughter, Karen, as part of the lineup—will come up short by $3,400.