The Shepherd Family

The Shepherd Family consists of Robert and Brenda, their children, Neil and his wife, Leigh, Monica, and Laura. Neil and Leigh have three children, Henry, Sarah Grace, and Jack.

Robert, a retiree with 30 years of service to Wilkes County as the Environmental Health Coordinator, is excited about the festival. Robert has always had a deep appreciation for beautiful music. Since his retirement, he has spent much of his time preparing and maintaining the festival grounds. Robert and his dog, Petey, have logged many hours on sunny days leveling the ground with the tractor, planting grass seed, and clearing the brush and undergrowth, and mowing and fertilizing the festival site. Robert is excited about hosting a music festival on the farm where he enjoyed playing as a child. He also enjoys fishing for striped bass, listening to The Kruger Brothers, and reading. He is quite talented at a newly acquired hobby - woodworking. He uses wood from the Shepherd Farm to create wooden gifts for family and friends. His latest adventure has been working with Jens and Philip to complete the construction of their new homes. Robert has gone on tour with The Kruger Brothers several times, to places such as San Francisco, California, Bangor, Maine, and Switzerland. Robert and his friend, Larry Huggins spend many days in the woodworking shop, fishing, or shooting target practice. Although quiet and reflective, Robert is the most trusted advisor to The Kruger Brothers and his role as Festival Producer is a natural one.

Brenda is also enjoying retirement after working 32 years for the State of North Carolina. Most of those years were spent at Wilkes Community College where she was Coordinator of MerleFest. Brenda continues to be an active festival consultant and her expertise is sought by many in the festival field. She has been named Festival Director of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events for two consecutive years. She recently served as the President of the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events and has been a Board Member and past Vice President and Treasurer of the organization. She has been a consultant, site coordinator and vendor coordinator for other festivals including "Doc" Watson MusicFest, The Record's Chickenfest, and Wilkes Auto Fest. Brenda works with local bands in promotion and securing venue performances. As Festival Director for Carolina in the Fall, Brenda has assisted Robert with the festival site by clearing brush and planting grass. Her role is primarily in the festival office, spending many, many hours filling ticket orders, answering the telephone and email inquiries, coordinating sponsorships, and ordering merchandise. Brenda has been working closely with the North Wilkesboro Police Department, Mayor of North Wilkesboro, Town Commissioners, and other town officials to coordinate efforts as festival plans are made. In Brenda's free time, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren, creating scrapbooks, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She recently traveled with Robert and Monica to see the Kruger Brothers perform the premiere symphony with the Bangor Orchestra.

Neil and Leigh have three children, Henry, Sarah Grace and Jack.

Monica, a graduate of Appalachian State University and Gardner-Webb University, is in the education field. She has taught first, third, and fourth grades. Monica has also served as an Assistant Principal at the elementary level. Currently, Monica works for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the Center of Recruitment and Retention. In the evenings, Monica works as an instructor at Wilkes Community College. She is also currently pursuing a doctoral degree in School Leadership. Monica, together with Brenda, enjoys being involved with festivals and she has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events. Monica manages the promotional side of Carolina in the Fall by creating the adverstisement materials including the poster, brochure, and program. In her spare time, Monica enjoys reading and traveling.

Laura is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Laura works as an Environmental Scientist and manages the Test Lab at Blue Ridge Engineering. Laura, her dog, Sanders, and her cat, Boo, have enjoyed moving back to North Wilkesboro. Laura and Sanders go back to visit friends at the beach as often as they get the chance. Laura loves to be outdoors and spends time camping. She is also a festival enthusiast and is involved with the festival logistics for Carolina in the Fall.

Petey loves spending his time each day with Robert. They begin the day by going out for coffee at Harold's Restaurant with Petey riding in the front of the pick-up, right beside of Robert. Then they usually spend the remainder of their day working at or near the Carolina in the Fall festival site. Many of Petey's evenings have been spent relaxing on the couch as the Kruger Brothers play and practice in Robert & Brenda's basement. Petey loves to fall asleep to the sounds of the banjo and guitar. When making the selection of a mascot for Carolina in the Fall, Petey was the obvious choice.

Kasey was the Shepherd's house cat. Kasey was the main one in chage at the Shepherd Household from 1996 to 2007. He passed away in February of 2007.