Merlefest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, and some of the revenue stays at the College, providing scholarships or going toward the construction of new classrooms.

VOA: standard.2010.06.07

The genre-blending MerleFest, held each year since 1988 as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, is a lasting tribute.

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After Merle Watson was killed in a tractor accident in 1985, Mr. Watson hosted Merlefest, an annual roots music festival at North Carolina's Wilkes Community College that attracts top country talent.

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