Maren Morris, Avett Brothers headline Merlefest
Merlefest will celebrate two milestones this year - its 35th anniversary and what would have been founder Doc Watson's 100th birthday.
The annual festival on the campus of Wilkes Community College was founded in 1988 in memory of Watson's son Eddy Merle Watson.
“When Merle and I started out, we called our music ‘traditional plus,’ meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play. Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is ‘traditional plus,'" Watson described the festival.
This year's festival definitely includes a diverse lineup from Maren Morris to The Avett Brothers. The festival is planned April 27-30 and features nearly 90 bands over four days. Headliners also include Brothers of a Feather with Chris and Rich Robinson of the The Black Crowes, Nickel Creek and Tanya Tucker.
"We've grown quite a bit from basically one stage, which was the flatbed truck, to 12 stages across the campus of Wilkes Community College, which has grown significantly as well," MerleFest Artist Relations Manager Lindsay Craven said.
How many people come to Merlefest?
The festival attracts up to 80,000 visitors each year and maintains its family-friendly atmosphere with children 12 and younger being admitted free with a paying adult. The event is also alcohol free.
"We have a 'little picker' stage, which is one of our 12 stages. And that one, we try to focus the programming with youth onstage. So we've got younger performers that the kids can come and watch and actually see someone close to their age with an instrument and performing and some of them are, you know, they're out doing big things now," Craven said. "So we're hoping to inspire those kids to pick up an instrument themselves or just to, you know, introduce them to this music that they may not have heard before."
There will also be crafts, jugglers and some complimentary snacks for children.
Parents can also take advantage of nursing stations on campus and a rest and relaxation tent. In addition to portable toilets, there are also permanent bathrooms in some of the buildings on campus.
Craven said to prepare for every type of weather when attending Merlefest.
"We usually have a day of rain somewhere, or a couple hours of rain at least, so definitely come prepared," Craven said. "Make sure you bring your sunscreen. We can sometimes have all four seasons in one day."
In honor of Watson's 100th birthday, expect some great collaborations including a birthday jam on Saturday on the main stage
"We have lots of other Doc tributes that'll happen on various stages throughout the weekend as well," Craven said.
One day and multi-day tickets are on sale now. Single-day, general admission tickets range from $75 to $95 in advance. Multiple-day general admission is $200 to $220 in advance. All of those prices go up at the gate.
