About Wilkesboro, NC
Wilkesboro is the county seat of Wilkesboron, NC and is known as "the key to the Blue Ridge". Major attractions include the Blue Ridge and Brushy mountains. Each year in late Spring, about 81,000 visitors flock to Merlefest, a festival celebrating Americana music. The town's biggest employer is the local hospital, the Wilkes Regional Medical Center.It is also the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina. Wilkesboro hosts all three of the county's major media sources: the Wilkes Journal-Patriot, The Record of Wilkes, and GoWilkes.com.
One of the best places to visit when you are in Wilkesboro is the downtown business district. In 200, the historic downtown was recognized as a Main Street Town. Some famous persons from Wilkesboro include William and John Swofford and Robert Byrd. William Swofford is a former Tar Heels quarterback and has been the commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1997. John Swofford had two top 10 billboard hits, "Good Morning Starshine" and "Jean" which were published under his middle name Oliver. Robert Byrd was born in Wilkesboro, but is the senior U.S. senator from West Virginia. He is also the longest-serving senator in U.S. history.
