Organizers Cancel MerleFest 2020 Due To Coronavirus

MerleFest canceled its 2020 event due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The festival was scheduled to take place April 23 – 26 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Kraus, John Prine, Greensky Bluegrass and more were set to perform at Merlefest 2020. Festival director Ted Hagaman issued a statement regarding the cancelation:

While this decision is disappointing for all of us, we fully support the directive from our county officials. The health, safety, and well-being of all involved with MerleFest is, and always will be, our primary concern.

MerleFest serves as the largest fundraising event in support of the students of Wilkes Community College. The WCC Foundation, which plans and manages the festival each year, has already incurred significant costs in the lead up to MerleFest 2020. With this in mind, MerleFest is asking for your help. We are calling on all our loyal fans and supporters to help alleviate the financial burden this puts on the college in this unprecedented moment of crisis. We are asking for fans to consider converting their festival purchase this year to a 100% tax deductible donation. This will help sustain the mission of MerleFest and its impact on WCC students.

MerleFest is also offering an option for ticketholders to roll their tickets forward to MerleFest 2021 as well as direct refunds. Head here for more info.