With just hours until the show goes on at MerleFest, a few tips for how to enjoy the festival may be in order. This year will mark what would have been Doc Watson’s 100th birthday, so attendees can expect highlights of his life and career. The festival, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC, since 1988 to honor the memory of Doc’s son Merle, has continued to grow. This year, some of the headliners include Maren Morris, Little Feat, the Robinson brothers of the Black Crowes, and Nickel Creek. Don’t overlook the names you don’t know yet, though.
The festival is one of the best-organized events of its kind, but first-time attendees could use some tips to make the most of the four-day festival.
1. Plan your schedule in advance but stay flexible. The MerleFest phone app allows you to plan your own schedule. Begin by downloading the app, scrolling through the lineup, and selecting the acts you don’t want to miss. Often some people choose to attend one day when some of the headliners appear. Regulars learn that some of the best performances are bands and performers that are on the cusp of fame.
Once you arrive on site, grab a copy of the program; the day-by-day schedule in the middle is a handy quick reference arranged by venue. After all, the festival is spread over at least a dozen stages.
2. Pack well. Bring a camp chair and set it up at the Watson stage when you arrive. Find your bearings because once the sun sets, all those chairs look alike. If you don’t have one of the reserved seats don’t worry. Before five, everyone is welcome to take the open seats until the ticket holders arrive, but the general seating—even the tables at the food tent—offer great sound and visibility.
Expect at least three of the four seasons in four days. It is not unusual to get sunburned and nearly frostbitten on the same day. Dress in layers and have a pair of socks. Pack sunscreen. Expect inclement weather (per Ray’s Weather).
3. While regular attendees fight parking options nearer the site, the satellite parking, with bus shuttle back and forth, is dependable and efficient. Many of the buses are owned by local scout troops, providing rides for tips. Be generous. It’s worth it.
4. The food services are a nice surprise. Instead of overpriced chain restaurant fare, the food is prepared and sold by church groups, school groups, local clubs and organizations. The grill chicken is my personal favorite, but the options range from burgers to Asian fare, reasonably priced.
5. Even if you don’t have reserved seats, you can be ushered to the front of the Watson stage to snap some photos of your favorite performers—or your new favorite artists. Sometimes, performers ask to limit photos to the first three songs, so be prepared. Also be courteous to those who are near the front. Get in. Get out.
6. MerleFest is not “just a bluegrass festival.” Expect a wide range of musical genres. Catch the musicians who never miss the festival—Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Jack Lawrence, and Jim Lauderdale, Jerry Douglas, for example. Don’t miss a chance to hear the Kruger Bros. perform. No explanation necessary. Donna the Buffalo and Scythian also deliver crowd-favorite, high-energy sets every year.
7. Check out the Wayback’s Hillside Album Hour on Saturday. Every year the California band sends out “Google proof” clues to the classic album they will perform in its entirety. Past albums have included Beatles, John Prine, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and Jimi Hendrix. They bring in some of the other guest artists to perform with them. Pick out a spot early. The shady spots go quickly. Be careful climbing the hill. There are always a few people who tumble each year.
8. Check out the performers at the Kid’s Tent. Some of them don’t take long to make it to the bigger stages. Schedule a stop (and a stomp) at the Dance Tent too.
9. There are plenty of opportunities for jamming. The festival grounds usually offers overnight storage for instruments—or other larger gear you might not want to wag back and forth to the car if you’re attending multiple days.
10. MerleFest had the nicest restroom setup for such an event. While there are plenty of stand-alone port-a-potties, the little mobile-home style facilities even feature framed pictures and sometimes sugar scrub for your hands—all the comforts of home.
11. Thank a volunteer. One reason the festival runs smoothly is the huge band of volunteers working all over the campus. They are easy to recognize in their Highlighter neon vests.
12. The merchandise tent and the many exhibitors offer some fun shopping opportunities too. You can get your souvenir MerleFest posters and shirts. If you get chilly, you can snag a sweatshirt or jacket. Almost anything you forget to pack will be for sale somewhere on site.
Have fun and mark your calendar to come back next year.
