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Small-town festival turns into worldwide sensation |
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Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
 Richard Watson (l) shadows his grandfather, Doc Watson, in front of bluegrass fans last summer at the MusicFest in Sugar Grove. Doc Watson performs Saturday at the upcoming MerleFest at Wilkes Community College. Photo by Derek DeSha
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by LINDSAY DIEDRICH
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
“Summertime” is coming, “Catfish are jumping” and Doc Watson is back as the host of the 2008 MerleFest to take place today through Sunday at Wilkes Community College.
MerleFest gates open at 2:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. tomorrow and will run through Sunday to raise funds for the college.
Free parking is provided and tickets are available at the door starting at $35.
“Ultimately, we are a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College,” Christie S. Hutchens, public information officer for Wilkes Community College, the Walker center and MerleFest, said.
While the monetary purpose of the festival is for the college, the heart of the festival is a celebration in
memory of Doc Watson’s son, Merle Watson, and the contributions of the Watson family to the
Appalachian musical heritage, Hutchens said.
The festival originally started as a small gathering of friends.
“[MerleFest] started as a celebration of Merle Watson’s life,” faculty instructor at Hayes School of
Music, Mark C. Freed said.
Watson did not start the festival as a worldwide event.
“The first year it was on the bed of a flat-bed truck,” Freed said. “It was a real local thing with Merle’s
friends.”
College students and families alike can attend the festival and expect three things while in attendance.
“MerleFest is all about three things: music, moments and memories,” Hutchens said. “The festival is a
time not only for college students, but families as well. We are proud to be a family-oriented festival in
a safe, substance-free environment.”
The fun is not limited to families; Appalachian State University students have found the festival
entertaining in years past.
“There are so many things going on that you don’t really have chance to be bored,” freshman
psychology major Bailey E. Hamrick said. “There’s never a time really when you can’t find something
you’d enjoy.”
MerleFest is equipped with 14 different stages, in order to accommodate artists of different genres and
styles, Hutchens said.
“The diversity of the MerleFest audience reflects that there truly is something for everyone here,”
Hutchens said.
What started as a small town celebration has become a worldwide festival.
“MerleFest brings Americana music and fans from all over the world to little old Wilkesboro,” Freed
said.
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