Lab 4 Assignment

Camping at Merlefest

Every year, during the last week in April, I pack up my car and head down to Wilkesboro, NC, to attend Merlefest.
Merlefest is a 4-day music festival that showcases folk, bluegrass, country, old-time, newgrass, and other types of
Americana music. I have been to Merlefest for the past three years, and every year, I camp at the Creekside Campground from
Wednesday until Sunday.

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Preparations

A few days before I head down to Merlefest, I make a list of everything I might need during the five days I am camping. These are some of the essentials:

• A tarp: one thing to consider is that it always rains on at least one night during the festival


• Blankets: it usually gets a little chilly at night


• A shovel: helpful for digging out a firepit

I don't worry about bringing food items or beer with me because the campground is very near the grocery store. So I
don't worry if I forget to bring something, as Walmart is also just around the corner.

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What to Expect

To me, camping at Merlefest is just as much fun as the festival itself. Merlefest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College,
but although the campus provides campsites, I have always camped at the Creekside Campground, which is located off-campus. A free shuttle
is provided about half a mile from the campsite, so you don't need to worry about parking. The cost to camp at Creekside from Wednesday
to Sunday is $55 per tent. You are only allowed one car per tent inside the campground, but free parking is available just outside the
campground.

The best part about the Creekside campground is the opportunity to meet all kinds of amazing people. Most of the campers are, like me,
veterans of Merlefest who camp in the same spots every year, so the first day of camping is always a sort of reunion. It is important
to know that Creekside has the reputation for being the party campground, but most of the campers are adults, so the partying usually
doesn't get too out of hand (at least, not until Saturday night). This year, I reunited with Josh, a camper I've known since 2005, who
I hadn't seen since last year. He introduced me to his friend Austen, a Merlefest photographer, who I'd met but never hung out with.
My friend and I spent the rest of the week hanging out with Austen, Josh, and a bevy of other amazing people. It's important to go
into Merlefest with an open mind, and you definitely need to leave shyness at home.

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More Information

If you're interested in experiencing the Creekside Campground during Merlefest, visit the Merlefest website . The site lists
ticket prices, opportunities to win free tickets and backstage passes, stage schedules, and much more.

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Pictures

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