The Avett Brothers and Bonnie Raitt are headlining a country music festival in Wilkesboro. There’s a pickle festival in, where else, Mount Olive. Beer and food trucks will take over downtown Raleigh. And there’s a blacksmithing competition in the mountains.
The forecast for Saturday could be dicey for some areas, with the potential for showers and storms for much of the state. But things are expected to clear up for Sunday.
MerleFest in the foothills
Now in its 37th year, MerleFest is back in Wilkesboro this week. The festival features “traditional plus” bands that continue the tradition of Doc Watson, who started the event in memory of his son.
The festival runs through Sunday with 12 stages and dozens of bands. Bonnie Raitt is scheduled to headline Friday and the Avett Brothers on Saturday.
“MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College,” organizers said…