When you first think of MerleFest (@merlefest), big name pickers and singers on big stages playing for large festival cr...

When you first think of MerleFest (@merlefest), big name pickers and singers on big stages playing for large festival crowds probably spring to mind. At the recent MerleFest 2025, Bonnie Raitt, The Avett Brothers, Sam Bush and dozens of other big names performed. But every year, the MerleFest Outreach Program also always offers a number of free programs in the schools of Wilkesboro and surrounding areas. At 2025’s fest, MerleFest brought musical artists to 17 public elementary and middle schools, reaching roughly 5,900. And as seen in this picture, it also allowed some talented students to entertain their own big crowds via their music. Image: A student band performs in a school auditorium as part of MerleFest in Schools 2025