Save the Date for 87th Forest Festival
September 27 – October 5, 2025
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 LXXXVI
Ona resident Miss Lilly Harper Ryan has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Peggy Phillips. The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months. Miss Ryan will visit Elkins on Sunday to attend a private reception in her honor, sponsored by Graceland Inn and Davis & Elkins College Dining Services.
Videos from the Mountain State Forest Festival
Volunteers
Announcing the 87th MSFF Queen's Department! 🍁
Photo L to R
Allicen Simon, Queen's Department Assistant
Megan Caston, Queen's Department Director
Hannah Shiflett, Queen's Department Assistant
Megan Casto will be returning to serve her third year as the Director of the Queen’s Department, having previously served as a Queen’s Department Assistant in 2022. She will lead the planning, coordination, and delivering of all activities for the Royal Court of the 87th MSFF. Megan has volunteered on several Festival committees, including Princess Orientation and Princess Ambassadors, Minor Court Committee, Pet Show, and Window Decorating. She was a Flower Girl in the 1995 MSFF and was a Maid of Honor in the 2008 MSFF. Her husband Dusty was a Royal Trumpeteer for the MSFF from 1998-2000. Megan and her husband have two daughters, Callie and Everly. Callie served as a Scepter Bearer in the 2019 MSFF. Megan is employed as an accountant at Woodford Oil Company.
Hannah Shiflett will return for her third year as a Queen’s Department Assistant. Shiflett has previously volunteered on the Minor Court Committee and was a Princess Ambassador. She was a Maid of Honor in the 82nd MSFF and was a Flower Girl in the 72nd MSFF. Hannah is currently employed as a teacher at Midland Elementary School. Additionally, she is employed at the Gandy Dancer Theatre and Conference Center, where she is in her 12th season, and is the lead dancer and back-up vocalist.
Allicen Simon will return for her second year as a Queen’s Department Assistant. She has volunteered with the MSFF for many years on several committees, to include, but not limited to: Chairman of the Princess Ambassador Committee, also served as a Princess Ambassador; Chairman of the Princess Housing Committee; and Jester Competition Judge. Simon is employed as a substitute teacher for the Randolph County Schools. Allicen is married to Mike Simon of Elkins, and they have one daughter Caroline. Allicen served as a Princess in the 2004 MSFF and her daughter Caroline served as a Flower Girl in the 2023 MSFF.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #embracenaturescharm #msff2025
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Good group of ladies
Great group of ladies!!
The BEST ever! Congratulations ladies! ❤️
National Volunteer Week is April 20-26.
"This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring figures whose invaluable seeds of kindness through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general." - National Today
A heartfelt thank you to the 500+ incredible volunteers who make the Mountain State Forest Festival possible year after year! Your dedication and hard work are the heartbeat of this beloved tradition. We couldn’t do it without you!
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #embracenaturescharm #msff2025
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Announcing the Royal Court Jesters for the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival! 🍁
Front L to R: Avery Fox and Emery Purdy
Back L to R: Callie Casto and Karigan Carr
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #embracenaturescharm #MSFF2025
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