WCC Gardens 1328 South Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

WCC Gardens, located at 1328 South Collegiate Drive in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is a beautiful park that offers a variety of seasonal gardens and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The campus features the Eddy Merle Watson Garden of the Senses, the Whitley Cabin, the Vernon and Louise Deal Native Gardens, the Ruth Colvard Rose Garden, the Robin Joines Student Plaza and Gardens, The Sara Mills Japanese Garden, a children’s playground, picnic areas, and a duck pond. The gardens also host outdoor shows and events, including the acclaimed MerleFest music festival held each April.

The WCC Gardens provide a peaceful and serene environment for visitors to honor loved ones or their memory by endowing a garden in their name. MerleFest, founded in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, is a premier music festival that features a mix of traditional and contemporary music styles, with performances by numerous artists on 13 stages over four days. The festival serves as a fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, supporting scholarships and educational needs.

The John A. Walker Community Center, located on the campus, is a popular venue for cultural experiences and events in Wilkes County. The James Larkin Pearson Library, also on campus, houses the writings and memorabilia of North Carolina Poet Laureate James Larkin Pearson. Additionally, the GEAR UP program at WCC aims to prepare students for success in postsecondary education.

Whether you're looking to explore the gardens, attend a music festival, or engage in cultural experiences, WCC Gardens has something for everyone to enjoy. Visit their website for more information on events and activities, or simply show up and be enriched by the beauty and inspiration of the gardens.