MerleFest, the annual festival in Wilkesboro that celebrates traditional music and more, returns to its normal spring schedule this month after a shift to the fall last year.
The schedule highlights include an opening night performance by country music star Josh Turner and a closing night set by Emmylou Harris.
It will be the first MerleFest under new director Wes Whitson. He replaces longtime leader Ted Hagaman, who is retiring.
Whitson has been the festival's operations manager for five years. He says he's excited to lead it for the first time.
“I was a fan of MerleFest and got to enjoy many years of the festival as a fan and see Doc Watson and his friends perform for many years,” he says. “So I feel blessed to have had that opportunity before I came on board with the festival. But now to be in the director's seat is just a dream come true.”
Last year, organizers moved the festival to September in the hopes that the pandemic would ease over the summer. That meant a shorter amount of time to plan for this year. But Whitson says MerleFest is in a good position and he's ready to welcome back the fans.
The four-day festival begins April 28.