'Mayberry' attempting Twist record

MOUNT AIRY, N.C., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The North Carolina town that inspired Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show" announced it will attempt the world record for most people dancing the Twist.

Officials in Mount Airy, which is Griffith's hometown, said they hope at least 2,000 people will turn up to perform the popular dance simultaneously at the "Twisted in Mayberry" event Sept. 9, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported Thursday.

Jessica Icenhour, director of tourism and marketing for Mount Airy, said participants must perform the dance for at least 5 minutes to break the record set by 1,692 dancers last year in Glendale, Calif.

Icenhour said organizers are confident they can reach their goal.

"We're being confident," Icenhour said. "This all came up very quickly, so we're trying to get the word out as quickly as we can."