Don't Miss Schedule of Events Found Here

Save the Date for 88th Forest Festival
September 26 – October 5, 2026

About Forest Festival

The Mountain State Forest Festival is one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia, continuing to promote the beauty and splendor of our mountains and valleys in all their autumn glory and promoting prudent development, conservation and culture of our abundant natural resources for the future.

The festival affords us the opportunity to share with our community and state the important role West Virginia’s natural resources play in our economic development. Rich in tradition, the Festival also plays a major role in our local and state economy and offers something for everyone to enjoy, such as, headline concerts and music shows, lumberjack competition, forestry & wood exhibits, juried art show, photography exhibit, quilt show, arts and crafts, amusement rides, and parades.

Randolph County and the City of Elkins open their streets to accommodate 75,000+ visitors each year, with an opportunity for exploring our surrounding counties.

Meet Maid Silvia LXXXVII

Moorefield resident Miss Sterling Anne Kump has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Lisa Shaffer.

“From the moment I met Sterling, I knew that she was the young lady that I wanted to fulfill the role of Maid Silvia LXXXVII,” Shaffer said. “I saw in her the heart, poise, and spirit of a Maid Silvia. She carries herself with a quiet confidence and a sincere love for the Festival and community—qualities that instantly stood out and captured everything I was hoping to find. I have no doubt that she will represent the Mountain State Forest Festival with grace, gratitude, and genuine pride in this long-standing tradition.”

Videos from the Mountain State Forest Festival

Volunteers

The Mountain State Forest Festival is dependent on a solid volunteer base to plan, coordinate and execute each of our many different events. We are so very grateful for the thousands of volunteers, who throughout our decades of festival celebrations, made us what we are today. We can find a place for everyone who has the desire to be a part of one of West Virginia’s oldest and largest festivals. Throughout the years of our traditions and new beginnings, the volunteers have worked together as a team representing Randolph County and the City of Elkins. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please reach out to the Forest Festival Office.