Del McCoury heads up his band and the New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band during his April 26 evening performance.

Sandy Feat create a sand sculpture over the course of the festival every year. This year the sand artists created a tribute to the late Doc Watson by including his image with the late Rosa Lee and other music legends who have passed on as well as those surviving who are carrying on their memory.

Seth Avett gives a wild guitar performance during The Avett Brothers set on April 28 on the Watson Stage. The Concord, NC natives have performed at MerleFest several times before and have developed a strong following across the state as well as across the country. They performed an energetic set to a large crowd in heavy rains.

Yellow ribbons adorn the former parking spots for Rosa Lee and Doc Watson outside of the Watson Stage. Doc passed away on May 29, 2012 and Rosa Lee followed him on November 22, 2012. This year’s festival was a tribute to the memory and legacy in bluegrass, Americana, folk and country music.

The Charlie Daniels Band gave a lively performance on April 25. The Wilmington, NC natives said they were glad to be back performing at their first MerleFest in their home state.

Leon Russell performs on the Watson Stage on April 25. Russell is a southern rock music legend dating back 50 years.

A boy makes the best out of a damp situation sliding down the hillside. Saturday afternoon and Sunday were plagued with torrential downpours but music fans toughed it out for their favorite musicians.

Mike Farris belts out tunes from “Before the Flood” the top secret album at the Hillside Album Hour on April 27. The Album Hour has become a huge draw for the festival with every precaution taken to preserve the secrecy of the album each year. The Waybacks hosted the event with special guests Mike Farris, Della Mae, John Cowan and Jim Lauderdale.

Scythian performs an energetic show at the Hillside Stage on April 27. Despite rain and slippery hillside conditions the band, specializing in Celtic and Celtic rock music, had the audience on their feet and dancing.

Jim Lauderdale and Sam Bush perform during the Tribute to Doc Jam on April 27. Sam Bush led the event as a close confidant of the late Doc Watson. Bush said it was a very emotional MerleFest for him this year after losing Doc.