Andy Griffith Parkway Dedication Speech ~ 16 October 2002 ~ TAGS Mayberry Mount Airy

This video segment is from the October 16, 2002 dedication of the Andy Griffith Parkway in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The ceremony was held in the parking lot behind the Mount Airy City Hall. This was Griffith's first public appearance in his hometown in over 40 years and there were more than 3000 fans on hand to welcome him back.

[@coobay978]

I have to believe this honor ment more to Andy than any awards he ever received in Hollywood. Country boy made good.

[@forsalecarvideos6147]

Not many could tell a story better than Andy Griffith.... RIP.

[@jameswise3971]

True that!

[@Jethro2273]

What a great storyteller and a great man!

[@aphill2208]

I grew up watching the Andy Griffith show, I'm now in my sixties and still watch reruns! The show always makes me laugh, better yet it still makes me feel good! The black and white episodes were my favorites, seems like the ones in color didn't have that nostalgic mood!🤗

[@johnnicatra570]

God rest your soul Andy, we could use a guy like you today.

[@laurastone6578]

Such a great, funny speaker...even at his older age. He was one of a kind.

[@abishop6368]

I was at this speech! It was a lifelong dream fulfilled to see Andy in person. I remember he arrived in a gold Mercedes.

[@missyglittervlogs3543]

Andy Bishop I was there too!

[@petepetersen106]

Andy was a great actor. But most of all he was a great American who never forget his family or friends and were he came from. Being a big star never went to his head. I believe he was happier with his friends than stars in Hollywood. He was a real American star that loved his family and were he was born more than he loved success as a actor. God bless Andy

[@bonnieanderson1658]

Dr ft

[@catherinemorand500]

I am so jealous...lol

[@rustyruss2962]

True Legend Andy brought me so many Good Memories with my Brother watching show still watch it too this day never gets old GodBless Andy ❤️🙏

[@dixieboy5689]

Andy was the real deal , in so many ways. If someone was to set aside a slice of America in a box , this would be a heaping helping of the best we have. Great video. Thx.

[@MooseGS]

We've lost a beautiful man. Thank you Andy.

[@JSB1882]

In the 1990s I made a pilgrimage to Mount Airy just because of this TV show and Andy Griffith. It did feel like a nice place to live or grow up.

[@paulsmith8212]

Where did the people go that were like Andy ? They are a dying breed. The good , honest and thoughtful is now really hard to find. I watched Mayberry RFD as a child and at 69 now , I remember when more people were like Andy Griffith . I think the world was a better place . I wish I could go back in time . Thank You Mr Griffith.

[@susanslack2691]

He has been a great influence on my life and Everytime I watch the Andy Griffith show I smile because I know I'm gonna get to meet him face to face and thanku him for his gentleness his kindness his warmth his special spirit of love and joy that he still spreads everyday all over the world 😉

[@edhill8341]

What a great home town speech and I love the dogs barking just like my childhood

[@signalstatstevedouglas1387]

It was a big deal that day when andy came back home never forget it.radio station YLRB Mt.pilot was there also.may this great man rest in peace.

[@rustyruss2962]

GodBless

[@jjs490]

Hes one of a kind to me, warm , kind, generous , he was a sweetheart of a human being.

[@Ken-dv9uf]

What a Nice, Nice man..... he is sorely missed.... RIP Andy (Taylor) Griffith!

[@felixmadison5736]

Thank you Andy. America misses you. So glad you got to pass along those stories to all of us before you died. No more entertaining stories than those from our childhood. I remember when my brother and I were very young my dad would tell us stories about growing up in our small town. We sat there as if in a trance and just so fascinated to hear all he had to pass down. Nothing like family and memories. In the end that's what we have left if we are fortunate.

[@michelesmall3858]

I was born in 1959, and the Andy Griffith Show is my favorite program hands down. At least all the older black and white shows. I didn’t much care for the ‘newer’ episodes that were in color and didn’t have Barney Fife in them. I could watch those older episodes daily! ❤️❤️❤️❤️😄😄😄😄

[@tarawilliams9146]

This was the America I loved and I miss so very very much.

[@lisakinney4422]

I watched the Andy griffin show growing up, then. It was a wholesome show to me. As a parent I saw it deal with REAL problems and situations that can be solved without violence. And he had a gun! So, in that sense, if you have any life or family issues and don't know how to deal, just watch your situation fold out to an answer or solution. You won't regret it. Times has changed but life's situations haven't.

[@AllOfKee]

He's such a class act

[@monmixer]

What a guy. Childhood memories are the best. I grew up poor as well. We did have a big gas stove in the basement. We had graduated from coal when I was about 7. When ever one of the neighbors got a load of coal we all went to help shovel it down the coal chute. Every one on the street helped. Even when it snowed. we all went out and shovels the street off and the cars out even if you didn't have car. Because the neighbors that had a car would take some where that you needed to go if your family didn't have a car. Every one helped each other. It's such a shame that the society we live in today is no where close to that. I could have lived in the 60's and 70's my entire life. I was born in 1958 so i was a young adult teenager in the lower to mid 70's. It was such a great time for technology. VCR's color tv's if you could afford one. We also had the Spiegel salesman by once a week or so and ordered many things from them. Hand delivered the next week. It was very cool. the youth today just doesn't understand what real unity and loving neighbors are.

[@rustyruss2962]

Thank u Andy u still bring me Happiness an Joy watching show GodBless ❤️🙏 never gets old

[@joshwalker171]

i love andy griffith and i am so proud of him for the dedication speech and on october 16,2002 and i love this person and the andy griffith parkway dedication speech and i try to watch the andy griffith show more often. i love this show and andy and don knotts barnie and jim nabors and don knotts and ron howard oppi and it brings back great memories. thanks so much for this video segment and i will try to keep watching the andy griffith show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! god bless you all

[@janetwoods3751]

I just found this video and I knew Andy Griffith was a good man and I loved this video. So glad I found this! Rip!

[@wayneberry8226]

I loved Andy's shows......

[@whydidwedothat]

I was in Mt Airy 2 weeks ago, loved it!

[@TruggyDriver69]

He was a great man. Me and my family miss living in Mount Airy.

[@suzukibn1131]

How wonderful and how reminiscent. I was born in 1952 and so much of what he says hits home.

[@ChurchChannel777]

I remember "No Time For Sargents" i saw the movie. My LP record collection included "What It Was, Was Football" Nobody could tell stories like Andy Griffith. You are missed by many, Andy.

[@bourbon497gypsum7]

Incredible event.

[@brucehenson2904]

LOOOOVE ANDY...JUST WENT TO MT. AIRY.LOVED ALL IT HAD TO SHOW...

[@elenetabatneck2905]

A GREAT MAN!!! May he be a peace with God. 🙏✝️😢❤

[@wmryan9646]

That was wonderful.. God Bless Mr. Griffin.❤

[@ronh8199]

Mayberry, the way things should be.

[@pfcthomasw.9394]

REST IN PEACE ANDY knowing ya was a True Blessing 😢 you are Missed...

[@Kelly-tj8xv]

It’s so incredibly sad- I watch the Andy Griffith show every day, and he was so good looking, tall, slim, dark hair, strong. And to see that man heavy, wider and white hair is so hard to believe that’s the same man as in the show.

[@doc1554]

Wonderful! Will never be another Billy Graham, Johnny Carson or Andy Griffith.

[@michaelgale5963]

I LIKED HIM ON MATLOCK TOO!!! DON KNOTTS WAS ALSO ON A FEW EPISODES OF MATLOCK, IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY?

[@Ricken2022]

Just think what the world would be like with all people like Andy Griffith and Don Knott’s .

[@P.G.1966]

MAYBERRY IS A WAY OF LIFE.

[@dewightkey6975]

If he only new how much joy and intertainment he has given us thank you and your tv 👪👨‍👧‍👧family

[@terrysmith6442]

Man he knew how to tell a story

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

Seen May 2019 He is Missed.🎥

[@Quint1836]

America's Greatest man

[@patsinnerdickey8440]

The most informative video I've seen. Keep up the good work.

[@Local1Laborer]

This is tremendous!

[@beachbunny8021]

Andy griffith cracks me up when iwatch matlock!! Lol!! He was so adorable and funny!! Rip so sad he is already dead.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Thank you for posting this. I was a child when No Time For Sargeants came out and my parents took me to the movies to see it. We thought it was hilarious. Later, when Andy came out with his funny stories on the Ed Sullivan Show, we nearly fell over laughing. Then, by the time Andy began his show on tv, that was watched and enjoyed by us and has been over and over again. I loved Andy Griffith.

[@MooseGS]

Thx 4 posting !!!

[@timidater4803]

Incredible man!!!

[@user-fl7yj5du5m]

My daddy loved Andy Griffith show and and Barney was his favorite !,

[@darrylelkins681]

America s story teller, and boy did he tell em well

[@madkittyjoey70]

Awww bless! He's so cute!!!

[@downyourtube]

sighs..and cries. its all I have of my past.

[@soundeffects7290]

what a sweetie pie

[@sardu55]

We were there for this ceremony. Most of the roads around town were blocked by the police so we just sort of ended up there and went over to watch (way back in the crowd). We ended up next to the lady standing in the background in a brown pant suit. It was an enjoyable event, especially for the locals who truly love Griffith and the vicarious attention he brought to their hometown. Was back again in 2021, the placed seemed mostly unchanged. A lot of things related to Griffith and his tv show fill the town. It's a good balance of the tourist trap things and a look at a local legend. Reminded me some of the Lucille Ball histrionics up in Jamestown, New York about her career and her connection to her hometown. Both are worth the time to visit, especially if you're a fan. Not that far away from each other.

[@darleneferree3887]

he didn't go back to Mt Airy bcause he didn't like the way he was treated while growing up.

[@chadcook3709]

Darlene Ferree looks like he had a decent childhood.

[@Quint1836]

Chad Cook He had a wonderful childhood. He was bullied at school, but he gained their respect when he sang a solo at the senior prom

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I also got that idea as he said the girl called him white trash. if one girl was able to say that personally to him, others may have thought it also. sounds like he was dirt poor.

[@pugzlipigeon5906]

Were u there? 🙄

[@danrash8535]

I wish he had talked about the place in mantel play house he loved so great

[@michaelmoore8834]

Another nostalgic thing about this video is a cell phone ring from 2002

[@ashtynhensley3274]

North Carlidian. That made me laugh so much harder than it should.

[@evdallas123]

He had a good strong voice even after he got old

[@michaelgale5963]

I BELIEVE NO TIME FOR SARGEANTS WAS HIS FIRST APPEARENCE IN A MOVIE, OR TV, IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT??

[@rachelramsey3203]

I grew up watching the Andy Griffith show an still watch the reruns.Great show an actors.May he RIP

[@maddyhayes617]

VERY INTERESTING

[@mikearlredge1063]

My favorite show mattock my favorite

[@sailorette1]

Is there anyway the entire service is recorded? I believe a Moravian band played. Thank you, so much for sharing this, Mr. History!

[@tiffanyb.7596]

🥰🥰🥰🙏🦋

[@Hchris101]

Cool stuff 🍔🐉

[@jondoes8222]

I go to Mt Airy from time to time. Im 45 mins north of there. Every time I come into town, I think of all the characters of that show. Is there another town near there called Mayberry NC? I wonder if they share some of the glory from this American classic ? I do not hear much about that town. If it exists, I wonder why he did not mention it. He used the name for the series.

[@codemiesterbeats]

Ron Delby It was a fictional town in the show called Mayberry. There is an area in Virginia called Mabry (may- bree) but I don't think its any relation to the show. Mount Airy is only a loose inspiration for parts of the show... one I can think of right off is on the show they would mention a place called "Mount Pilot" and that is inspired by the name of the town close to Mount Airy called Pilot Mountain. Its not really based on Mt Airy but somewhat inspired by it.

[@jondoes8222]

I have been to Pilot Mountain town. Nice little place. I have also been to the big rock pennicle. You cannot climb the pennicle now but many years ago there was a walk way up to the top . You can hike around the base of it though.

[@wackyworldnews]

do you have the 2004 griffith statue dedication on film?

[@mrhistorysc]

+Wacky World News ~ Sorry, we do not.

[@wackyworldnews]

i was there in 2004. remember leaving hotel and seeing it live all over the news. wish i had taped it on a vhs for the future. hopefully it will pop up someplace someday to see if i'm in the front row of the crowd.

[@CornerStoneEquesSvcs]

Well, Andy contradicts himself because he denies Mt. Airy was ever to be the town behind Mayberry. I think he just didn't want to admit it but here he is saying it after all the videos showing his denials! Now that's strange!

[@mountainDreamer]

+CornerStoneEquesSvcs From what I understand, as he stated in an interview...it was never originally about Mt. Airy....I believe it was the brainchild of Danny Thomas s it was a spinoff of "Make Room For Daddy"....and Andy said he didnt like "fake towns" so he slowly started to mention real towns in NC and thats how it was believed to be his hometown. Does that make sense? LOL He said he got so tired of arguing that it was about Mt Airy and so it almost sounds like he just went with it...

[@themayberryeffect9492]

May I use a clip from this video in a documentary I am working on called The Mayberry Effect?www.TheMayberryEffect.com

[@heru-deshet359]

If one is driving on Andy Griffith Parkway, are on the "Straight and Narrow"?

[@MegaThunder70]

So where did the name mount pilot come from?

[@ruamietilton7279]

The town of Pilot Mountain, named for the mountain nearby, is about 10 miles south of Mt Airy

[@danrash8535]

When did this happen

[@mindofmonster]

A true gangster.

[@tina8796]

Andy didn't like Mount Airy from what I understand. And Cindi didn't care for Manteo from what I understand. What a great speech. He was really good at stories and speeches. I wish he'd married someone closer to his own age. An almost 30-year gap is too much. I love vacationing on the OBX. Mount Airy is okay but wouldn't want to live there. Of course, we go by there heading over to the Moravian cookie shop in Winston-Salem and the Outer Banks and on our way to Wilmington. I love Wilmington and the beautiful, pristine beaches.

[@Mayberryslawman.]

Anyone know if that's Don Knotts in the gray hat

[@donbvs]

Matthew Marino -- I thought it was at first, but I played back and paused a few shots of him and IMO it wasn't Don Knotts. Plus, I think if it had been Don, Andy would have pointed him out when he spoke about the development of the show... how Barney became the comic to Andy's straight man.

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

Hard to believe Andy, as a man of faith, good morals and great family values was a Democrat.

[@Richard4point6]

The two are NOT compatible.

[@davidholt2960]

Not much he couldn't do.

[@splasht.v9934]

Who is this guy never heard of him

[@mickey1849]

😮

[@lianecornils6603]

It’s amazing how much weight he put on. Shows. In old age. You need to cut your calories or your going to get fat.

[@kellyvipperman5309]

All his money will not get him in Heaven

[@michelesmall3858]

He was a follower of Jesus. Bc of that, he is w our Messiah! ❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mickey1849]

What you say is undoubtedly true. It's important for us all to remember that. As great a comedian that Andy was, there was also a hard, flinty side to him as well. I've heard it in the undertones of his voice before. Growing up poor certainly had something to do with it. It wasn't a flourishing life he had as a teenager. I'm sure a good portion of it was hard scrabble. There was a made-for-tv movie in the 1970s that Andy did. In it, he played a murderer. He did a very convincing job. To pull that role off, he had to tap into some of the dark forces inside his soul to make that roll come alive. That was another side of Andy Griffith too. Just watch that movie and you'll know. The Bible says the "least" in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than anyone on the face of this earth. So that means a street sweeper in heaven trounces even the King of England here on earth! No, Andy couldn't even take one penny of his vast fortune when he left us. He was equal to any of us. But I sure hope he made it to heaven; and the same as God, I hope all of us make it to heaven. So long as it is right with God. RIP Andy. /// Great video. Thank you for posting. At 76, Griffith could still electrify with his amazing powers of speech and comedic talent! 👏

[@anthonyharmon9265]

Judge yourself hypocrite

[@jeffoldham3466]

I heard he wasn't as nice as the image he had on the andy griffith show,, very disrectable to those those that he met on the streets

[@mermaidgirl9232]

jeff oldham ...I heard the same thing from his neighbors back in May. I was also told that a lot of people in Manteo didn’t care for him because he was rude. I’m sure some stars would like to be left alone but I cannot imagine the nice people of Manteo being that way.

[@tiffanyhall1944]

Sometimes people wan to be left alone. He also requested no funeral and to be buried within 6 hours of dying.

[@catherinemorand500]

He was a very private person...very

[@mickey1849]

Undoubtedly, a lot of it had to do with those hardscrabble years from 8 to 18. Read what I said above to Kelly Vipperman. He played a very convincing murderer in a tv movie in the 1970s. In that movie, the hard, flinty side of Griffith is on display for all to see 😐. In the two reunion shows Griffith did he goes to great lengths to tell us the audience that he really was not that character he played in the Andy Griffith Show.

[@karlbrumbeloe2714]