{"id":5944,"date":"2017-03-11T22:43:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-12T04:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=5944"},"modified":"2023-09-03T21:15:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T21:15:51","slug":"2017-music-festivals-merlefest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garyhayescountry.com\/?p=5944","title":{"rendered":"2017 Music Festivals: Merlefest."},"content":{"rendered":"

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I\u2019m going to provide links to all the bands on my lineup on this article and it\u2019s NOT going to be easy! The lineup on this one is a BIG BIG deal folks, this festival is not small time or little in any way.<\/p>\n

Merlefest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College.
\nI thought at first it had something to do with Merle Haggard but no it was named and founded in memory of Doc Watson\u2019s son who died in 1985. Doc Watson who died on May 29th 2012 often played the festival and provided much to the growth of the festival.<\/p>\n

It is held on the campus of the Wilkes Community College in Wilksboro North Carolina and all these bands will play on 13 different stages\u2026I\u2019d have to hire a ton of help to cover this festival I\u2019m going to up front and honest about this festival there is NO smoking or drinking allowed. So if you are coming down there intending to party hard\u2026don\u2019t. Cause this festival is for music lovers that choose not to imbibe in that. You can click on the main link up there for maps and directions to the festival. Here is the lineup to this behemoth festival and TRUST ME if you are just like me and like to enjoy the music in public in a sober fashion this is a GREAT festival and you can purchase tickets HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CAMPING: is again offering fully setup campsites, at any of the wonderful campgrounds in the Merlefest area. We have been offering this fine service since 1999 and have had patrons from most states and many foreign countries as well. Our patrons arrive to their site to a high-quality tent, decked out with carpet, cots, lanterns, water jugs, gazebo and camp kitchen amenities if preferred.
\nPlease check out the website, Dancin Dave’s <\/a>for all details and of course you can ask any questions you have from there.
\nOh…and Doc himself gave me his blessing when I started the business back in 1998…I actually came up with the concept on my drive home to Wisconsin from Merlefest that year. The next weekend I had the supreme pleasure of dining with Doc and Jack before their show in Madison that night…it was an experience I will always treasure!<\/p>\n

Festival_Map_2017<\/a> that link right there will open a PDF file of the entire festival grounds and some of the nature trails there are to romp around on!<\/p>\n