Merlefest: The Tradition Continues

Merlefest: The Tradition Continues

For 33 years, the campus of Wilkes Community College has served as a gathering place for musicians and fans through Merlefest. The music festival that honors the memory of Eddy Merle Watson, son of Doc Watson and talented acoustic guitarist, has grown from a small gathering of musicians honed in the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region to a world-renowned festival showcasing artists from a wide variety of genres including Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles.

This year, we’re excited to announce that tradition will continue. Mark your calendars now for the weekend of September 16-19, for four days full of music, fellowship and the excitement of getting back together with a community of musicians and fans in a way that has made Merlefest truly unique.

“We know people associate Merlefest with the spring, but we’re excited to offer this event in the fall of 2021, and know that it will be successful, no matter what time of year it occurs,” says Ted Hagaman, executive director of events and hospitality, Wilkes Community College. “We made the decision to host the festival in September because we knew people were missing Merlefest, and we wanted to make sure we were able to put on an event this year to keep the tradition going,”

Making the Move Safely

Like so many events that had to be cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Merlefest fans suffered a devastating loss when the 2020 event was cancelled just 45 days before the musicians were scheduled to hit the stage. Not wanting to go more than a year without providing this homecoming event for so many artists and fans, the organizers of Merlefest began working with health experts and county officials in the fall of 2020 to decide the best time to hold the next festival.

“Events like this take a lot of time to organize, and we all know that no one had a crystal ball tto predict the future of the course of the pandemic,” Hagaman says “Through our talks with leaders in the community and the medical profession, we decided moving the festival to the fall rather than its traditional timeframe of late April would provide us with the best opportunity to host an event that is safe for our community, our fans, and everyone participating in Merlefest.”

Keeping the health and safety of everyone at Merlefest is a priority, and postponing the event until the fall enhances those abilities. More Americans will have had the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine by the fall, and with most of the concert being outdoors, the combination of factors leads to a safer event for everyone involved. The organizers of Merlefest are also looking into additional safety precautions, including enhancing the circulation of air at indoor venues and working closely with health officials to put proper protocols in place.  

Bringing the Spotlight Back to Wilkesboro

Merlefest is more than just a music festival and an opportunity for fans to engage with their favorite bands in a fun, relaxed setting. It also serves as a major economic driver for Wilkesboro and northwest North Carolina. Merlefest is the primary source of funds for the Wilkes Community College Foundation, and the event brings in millions of dollars directly to Wilkes County through visitors staying in the area, shopping, dining, and purchasing supplies. “We’ve also found that people who were introduced to Wilkesboro through Merlefest come back to the area at other times for vacations and getaways, some even moving here permanently,” Hagaman says.

The line-up of musicians will be announced June 10, and we can’t wait to see what acts will make their way to Wilkesboro this year. It’s never too early to plan your visit! Find a place to stay and make your reservations to be a part of this monumental event.