Throughout the town of Mount Airy, the characters from the Andy Griffith Show are prominently featured.   First and foremost, Sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith) and his deputy and friend Barney Fife (Don Knotts) can be found everywhere.   But all the characters get play as well.  There is Floyd's Barber Shop, Opie's Candy Store, the Snappy Lunch Diner where Juanita occasionally heard poems and songs over the phone from Barney.

Mayberry takes us back to a simpler time despite the show's run from 1960 to 1968 which was anything but peaceful in America.   And perhaps the temporary respite from the tragedy and turbulence of the times was its appeal.

The widowed Andy had a son named Opie (Ron Howard) who he raised along with his Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier).   The cast of memorable town characters - too numerous to mention but vital to the show's success -  provided many hilarious and touching moments.   Barney's girlfriend on the show, Thelma Lou (played by Betty Lynn), decided to move to Mount Airy several years ago and makes frequent appearances in the town.

In the clips below Andy and Barney, longtime friends and classmates at Mayberry Union High, sing the school's alma mater during a 1960s episode and again two decades later in a 1986 reunion show.

http://youtu.be/ODjnlgo8EOo

http://youtu.be/4yg9LF5lS0c