Festival History

Robert and Brenda Shepherd are lifetime residents of Wilkes County and have been active in many local events and organizations.

The festival is held on the farm where Robert was raised and where Robert and Brenda have raised their children. Now their three children, Neil, Monica, and Laura have made their homes on the Shepherd Farm.

The Kruger Brothers, a Switzerland-based musical group, comprised of banjo player, Jens Kruger, guitarist Uwe Kruger, and bassist, Joel Landsberg are friends of the Shepherds. As musical hosts of the festival, The Kruger Brothers have invited many talented musicians and groups to play at the Carolina in the Fall Festival.

The festival name was borrowed from the song, Carolina in the Fall, written and performed by The Kruger Brothers. The lyrics to the song allude to the hospitality shown by the Shepherd Family as they welcomed The Kruger Brothers and their friends and family while they have performed and visited in the United States.

The relationship between the Krugers and the Shepherds began in 1997 and has inspired many trips to Switzerland and North Carolina.

Based on a common love of music and desire to extend the relaxed impromptu performances at the Shepherd home to include others who would enjoy the music, the Shepherds and Krugers decided to create this family-atmosphere music festival. The first annual Carolina in the Fall Festival was held on September 13 and 14, 2003 on the Shepherd Farm in North Wilkesboro, NC. After a successful inaugural festival and with much encouragement from festival attendees, the Shepherd Family and The Kruger Brothers decided to make Carolina in the Fall an annual event.

Jens Kruger and his family, Uwe Kruger, and Joel Landsberg are all now official residents of North Carolina and have made their homes in Wilkes County.