MUMFEST Street Entertainment...meet and greet Willy the Hillbilly!

In addition to Gary Shelton, Steve Wille, the Silver Drummer Girl, Alex Clark and other street entertainers, Willy the Hillbilly will be at MUMFEST to meet and greet, compliments of the Pepsi Minges Bottling Group.

In the l960s the Mountain Dew bottles were green with red and white labels including a picture of a hillbilly character shooting at a revenuer as the trespasser runs out of an outhouse. Mountain Dew was advertised as "zero proof moonshine" and the saying "It'll tickle your innards!". In the early 1970s a different marketing agency replaced the label for a more modern look. Thirty seven years later, Willy is back on a new drink called Throwback, this time with the cork of the Mount Dew jug shooting through his hat, making a hole.

Festival-goers can meet Willy the Hillbilly in person, shake his hands and pose with him for photo ops!

For those old enough to remember the 1960s and would enjoy jogging their memory with a 1966 Willy the Hillbilly commercial, click here: youtube Willy the Hillbilly

MUMFEST Street Entertainment...Meet and Greet Willy the Hillbilly!

Willy the Hillbilly

In addition to Chaz the Magician, Gary Shelton, Steve Wille, the Silver Drummer Girl, Alex Clark and other street entertainers, Willy the Hillbilly will join us at MUMFEST. He’ll be on site for the two days, compliments of the Pepsi Minges Bottling Group along with a Pepsi Sampling bus and several inflatable’s.

In the 1960’s, the Mountain Dew bottles were green with red and white labels including a picture of a hillbilly character shooting at a revenuer as the trespasser runs out of an outhouse. Mountain Dew was advertised as “zero proof moonshine” and the saying “It’ll tickle yore innards!”. It the early 1970’s a different marketing agency replaced the label for a more modern look. Thirty seven years later, Willy is back on a new drink called Throwback, this time with the cork of the Mountain Dew jug shooting through his hat, making a hole.

Festival-goers will now have the fun of meeting Willy the Hillbilly in person, shaking his hand  and posing with him for photo ops!

For those old enough to remember the 1960’s and would enjoy jogging their memory with a 1966 Willy the Hillbilly commercial, go to  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnxXwc9HZc8

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

PEPSI - a greater presence at MUMFEST

The  Pepsi Minges Bottling Group has been a Mumfest sponsor for many years. Since New Bern is the birthplace of Brad’s Drink, now known world-wide as Pepsi-Cola, we are happy to promote their presence at the festival.

Pepsi products are sold by the New Bern Lion’s Club members from the Pepsi carts located throughout the festival area. We share the proceeds with the Lion's Club which they use for their programs and projects that help the visually impaired. It is a partnership that has been in effect for many, many years, a partnership that benefits both organizations.

This year Pepsi will have a greater presence by adding to the mix of attractions. Large Pepsi and Mountain Dew inflatables will add color to the midway area. There will be a Pepsi Sampling Wagon with sample coolers and Willy the Hillbilly, the Mountain Dew’s mascot will be on site throughout the festival to “meet and greet” and add to the gayity and mix of roving characters, clowns and magicians.

We appreciate the support Wade Cline and the Pepsi Minges Bottling Group extends to Mumfest. We know the public appreciates it too.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director