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Press
January 01, 2009
Mountain State Forest Festival History
 The Mountain State Forest Festival
It was early spring of 1930 when representatives of the Elkins Business Mens Association (now Elkins Chamber of Commerce) and representatives of the Elkins Womens Club met to discuss the staging of an Elkins Homecoming event.
It was stated at this meeting that the town of Oakland, Maryland had been successful in staging an Annual Homecoming. It was decided to appoint a committee to go to Oakland and consult with the officials of their homecoming for the purpose of securing important information, which would be helpful in planning and staging the Elkins Homecoming.
The towns of Winchester, Virginia and Martinsburg, West Virginia are just twenty-two miles apart and are both located in the heart of the great applegrowing belt of the Shenandoah Valley. These two towns have always been commercial rivals, receiving much national publicity. It had been reported for a period of time that Martinsburg was planning a festival of its own to be know as the "Fall Apple Harvest Festival."
The arrival in Winchester of the Elkins Homecoming Committee was good news to the officials of the Apple Blossom Festival. After some discussion between them, the Elkins Homecoming event was dropped and in its place plans were made for an annual festival. The Elkins group was surprised by the suggestion of a festival. The Winchester group was very familiar with the beautiful mountain scenery of Elkins and felt a "Forest Festival" was the way to showcase the beauty and splendor of the area. Before the Elkins group left for home, the Winchester group offered their assistance with planning the festival after a final decision was made. The Apple Blossom Officials would send a committee to Elkins to help with the plans for the festival. The Elkins Committee returned home and met with other civic-minded citizens. It was decided to stage a fall festival to be known as the "Mountain State Forest Festival." After the announcement of plans to hold the first Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, nothing more was ever heard of the plans to stage a festival in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The Elkins Business Mens Association was headed by Mr. L. H. Buzzell and Elkins Nursery Businessmen.They also worked with the Elkins Womens Club with Mrs. Rosie Bowers as their president. Mrs. Bowers was the wife of Mr. E.A. Bowers, a prominent Elkins attorney. Mr. George Dornblazer, Superintendent of the Rains Lumber Sales, had the year prior directed in Elkins a ceremony for the Osiris Shrine Temple of Northern West Virginia. Because of his success in directing this ceremony, he was asked to direct the festival. Mr. Dornblazer was appointed Director General of the first "Mountain State Forest Festival". Mr. Dornblazer was given full authority to plan and stage the festival, as he desired. Mr. Dornblazer appointed Mr. J.O. Hunnicut, Secretary of the Elkins YMCA, as an Assistant Director. Mr. L.L. Cook, Manager of the Elkins Credit Bureau, was appointed as Secretary-Treasurer. Mrs. Don Harper, wife of an Elkins oil distiibutor was named Secretary to Mr. Dornblazer and office manager. Festival offices were opened in the Wilt Building in downtown. Miss Virginia Patterson (later Mrs. C.R. McKim), Secretary to Mr. Cook in his business and Mrs. Charles Kerner, Secretary to Mr. Dornblazer in his lumber business offered their assistance in answering correspondence and keeping records. The Director General and his staff had been appointed and headquarters were established. The dates of November 1,2 and 3, 1930 were selected and plans were being completed for the very first Mountain State Forest Festival.
At First, not all Elkins citizens were enthused over the festival idea. Mr. Dornblazer asked Mrs. E.A. Bowers to serve as Chairman of the Committee on the "Queen and her Court". After some thought, Mrs. Bowers declined the appointment. Mrs. Grady Whitman had just completed a term as President of the West Virginia Federation of Womens Clubs. Mrs. Whitman accepted the appointment as Chairman of the Committee on the "Queen and Her Court".
Mr. Dornblazer appointed a representative to contact Dr. James E. Allen, President of Davis and Elkins College, to gain the co-operation of the college. The Festival Officials desired to use parts of the college campus for pageant grounds, as a site for the Queen's Coronation Ceremonies, and to use sections of Halliehurst Hall for the headquarters of the Queen and her Court and a reception. At first, Dr. Allen hesitated to offier his co-operation saying, "A festival will be to big for Elkins, you should start a County Fair". Later Dr. Allen gave up the idea of a County Fair and he and Mrs. Allen devoted much of their time and talents to the success of the festival.
Not only was the Elkins Community beginning to show much enthusiasm for the festival, but the State of West Virginia as well, from Governor William G. Conley down through every department. The Commissioner of Agriculture at the time was in charge of advertising funds. The Commissioner was Mr. J.B. McLaughlin. The festival received much financial assistance through the offices of Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. William Cook was State Superintendent of Schools and as such he was in charge of all state colleges and public schools. Mr. Cook was able to offer financial assistance to the festival through his department.
Many times, Mr. Dornblazer mentioned the need for an Elkins Band. Elkins had the Elkins High School Band and the I.O.O. F. Home Band. Mr. Dornblazer asked Mr. Walter Fitzwater if he could arrange a band from local and nearby musicians. Some days later, Mr. Fitzwater reported that he and his brother could secure enough good band musicians to have a good band. He also mentioned that uniforms for the band would be furnished by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Grafton. This band got together on the morning of the Grand Feature Parade for their only rehearsal. They made a grand showing leading the Grand Feature Parade.
The Festival Committee planned two featured dances. One dance was to be know as the "Princess Dance" and the other to be known as the "Queen's Ball". The Festival Committee then thought another type dance should be offered, and Mr. Meritt Wilson, Jr. was asked to plan a Cabaret type of entertainment for the Saturday of the Festival. The Bishop Building at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street was secured for the Cabaret, which proved very popular.
After the festival was planned, Mr. Dornblazer asked Mr. Harris Jones, manager of the Elkins W.S. Weather Bureau to check the records of the local weather station from the time that records were kept, and inform him of the days with the best average weather for staging such an event as a festival. It was then declared by the Festival Committee that if festivals were held in the future they should be held on the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of October. This was done to advertise the dates of future festivals a year in advance, so county fairs and other state events could select dates for their gatherings that would not conflict with the dates of the Mountain State Forest Festival.
After weeks of working day and night, Mr. Dornblazer and the countless faithful workers were ready for the first annual Mountain State Forest Festival. In spite of near zero weather conditions, the festival was acclaimed by thousands as a great success.
The Elkins Business Mens Association voted to continue the festival as an annuall affair. A vote of apprieciation was extended to Mr. Dornblazer and his faithful workers. Mr. Dornblazer was asked to serve as Director General of the second annual Mountain State Forest Festival, but because of his many other interests he felt he should decline the honor. Mr. R.G. Bush, Editor of the Elkins Inter-Mountain and Mr. M.J. Wilverdine, Business Manager of the Elkins Inter-Mountain were selected as Co-Directors for the second annual Mountain State Forest Festival.
So the Mountain State forest Festival became an annual event in the lives of the Elkins Community and the State of West Virginia.
NATIONAL VISITORS THOUGHOUT THE YEARS
The Forest Festival originated in 1930 and immediately attracted national figures. Dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the state's natural resources it annually attracts from 100,000 to 125,000 visitors depending upon the weather. Visitors may reach 200,000 or more whenver there is a Presidential visit to this mountain town of less than 10,000.
Incorporated in 1935 it's most unique charactaristic is that the event is staged by all volunteers with the exception of the Executive Secretary and Office Assistant who are salaried. Hundreds of volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to make the festival a success.
There are no specific festival grounds, with activities held throughout the city. Most events are free or have a nominal fee such as the Distinguished Guest Dinner, Country Music Show, Classic Rock Show, Gospel Show and Wood chopping and Sawing Contest.
Some of the national figures that have taken a part in the festival as speakers, parade marshals, guests and entertainers are:
*President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936
*George H. Dern, Secretary of War, 1934
*Jimmy Mattern, one of nine persons who made solo flights across the Atlantic, 1938
*Blanche Noyes, only woman employed at the time by federal *Govermnemt in aviation, 1939
*Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, 1940
*Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, 1941
*Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, 1952
*Col. Chuck Yeager, test pilot who broke sound barrier, 1953
*Adlai Stevenson, 1956
*Eleanor Steiber of the Metropolitan Opera, 1963
*Vice President Hubert Humphrey, 1966
*Russell E Train, 1967
*Neil Armstrong, 1970
*Jerry West, 1971
*Constance Cornell Stuart, 1971
*Charles Kuralt, 1972
*Prsident & Mrs. Richard Nixon, 1971
*Rod Hundley, 1973
*Sam Huff, 1973
*Joe Garagiola, 1973
*Don Meredith, 1974
*Pat Summerall, 1975
*President Gerald Ford, 1975
*Nanette Fabray, 1976
*Ed McMahon, 1977
*Barry Allen Sadler, a green beret, 1977
*Rue McClanahan, actress, 1977
*Leslie Stahl, CBS 1978
*President Jimmy Carter, 1978
*Fred Silverman, President of NBC 1979
*Gene Jankowski, CBS President, 1980
*Dr. E. Gordon Gee, Presdient of WVU 1982
*Christopher Skinner, TV Actor, 1982
*Charles Kuralt, 1983
*Wayne Northrop, TV Actor (Days of Our Lives) 1983
*David Luke, III 1984
*Ed Etzel (Olympic Gold Medallist) 1984
*Vincent Irizarry, Actor LuJack 1985
*Tom Brookshire, 1985
*Ronnie Milsap, Country Music Singer, 1986
*Howard "Hank" Keim, Honorary Parade Marshall, 1986
*Thomas G. Pownal, CEO of Martin Marietta Corp., 1987
*Ray Stevens, Singer/Songwriter, 1987
*Earl Thomas Conley, Singer/Songwriter, 1987
*John McBride, Astronaut, 1987
*United States Senator Jennings Randolph, 1988
* Brett Baxter Clark, Actor on (General Hospital) 1988
*Lee Greenwood, Country Music Singer 1988
*Tanya Tucker, Country Music Singer 1988
*Floyd F Sherman, CEO of Triangle Pacific Corp. 1988
*Eddie Rabbitt, Country Music Singer, 1989
*The Forester Sisters, Country Music Singers, 1989
*Sawyer Brown, Country Music Singers, 1989
*The Shirelles, 1990
*Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, 1990
*Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Country Music Singers, 1990
*Holly Dunn, Country Music Singer, 1990
*Jason D. Williams, Country Music Singer, 1990
*Ricky Skaggs, Country Music Singer, 1991
*Exile, Country Music Singers, 1991
*Chubby Checker, 1991
*Phil Dirt and The Dozers, 1991
*Busweiser Clydesdales, 1991
*The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 1992
*The Bellamy Brothers, 1992
*Wheeling Symphony, 1992 +
*Martina McBride, Country Music Singer 1993
*Diamond Rio, Country Music Singers, 1993
*The Florida Boys, Gospel Singers, 1994
*The Oak Ridge Boys, Country Music Singers, 1994
*The Short Brothers Band, Country Music Singers, 1994
*Toronto Winged Wheels Motorcycle Team, Canada, 1994 +
*Marty Stuart, Country Music Singer, 1995
*T. Graham Brown, Country Music Show Singer, 1995
* Rickey Van Shelton, Country Music Singer, 1996
*Moore & Moore, Country Music Singers, 1996
*Jeff & Sheri Easter, Gospel Singers, 1996
*The Inspirations, Goaspel Singers, 1996
*Patty Loveless, Country Music Singer, 1997
*Shenandoah, Country Music Singers, 1997
*Dixie Melody Boys, Gospel Singers, 1997
*Brian Free & Assurance, Gospel Singers, 1997
*John Andgerson, Country Music Show Singer, 1998
*Aaron Tippin, Country Music Show Singer, 1998
*WVU Marching Band, 1998
*Neal McCoy, Country Music Singer, 1999
*Sherri Austin, Country Music Singer, 1999
*The McKameys, Gospel Singers, 1999
*Kenny Chesney, Country Music Singer, 2000
*Chely Wright, Country Music Singer, 2000
*Hoppy Kercheval, 2001
*Brad Paisley, Country Music Singer, 2001
*Sara Evans, Country Music Singer, 2001
* Chris Wallace,Gen. Manager for Boston Celtics, 2002
*Phil Vassar, Country Music Singer, 2002
*Jamie O'Neal, Country Music Singer, 2002
*Leslie Nielsen, actor, 2002 and 2003
*Bray Cary, WV Television Station Owner, 2003
*Darryl Worley, Country Music Singer, 2003
*Mark Wills, Country Music Singer, 2003
*Tracy Byrd, Country Music Singer, 2004
*Blake Shelton, Country Music Singer, 2004
*Three Dog Night, Classic Rock Show, 2004
*Joe Nichols, Country Music Singer, 2005
*Josh Gracin, Country Music Singer, 2005
*America, Classic Rock Show, 2005
*Billy Campbell, Golf Pro, Grand Feature Parade Marshall, 2005
*Grand Funk Railroad, Classic Rock Show, 2006
*Diamond Rio, Country Music Show 2006
*Emerson Drive, Country Music Show 2007
*Kansas, Classic Rock Show, 2007
*Eddie Money, Classic Rock Show 2008
*Craig Morgan, Country Music Show 2008
*Lady Antebellus, Country Music Show 2008
*General Robert H. "Doc" Fogelsong, Distinguished Guest Dinner Speaker 2008
*Rod Snyder - American Idol Finalist Distinguished Guest Dinner Speaker 2009
*Ed Pastilong WVU Athletic Director - Parade Marshall 2009
*WVU Marching Band 2009
*Bucky Covington & Heidi Newfield - Country Music Show 2009
*Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas - Classic Rock Show 2009.
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