Save the Date for the 88th Forest Festival
"Autumn in Color"
September 26 – October 4, 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. While visiting Elkins, enjoy the 10K/5K Race, Highland Dance Competition, Irish Road Bowling, Parade of Children, Pet Show, Photography Contest, Juried Art Exhibit, Quilt Show, Forestry & Wood Products, Arts & Crafts, Distinguished Guest Dinner, Royal Coronation, Fireman’s Parade, Queen’s Ball Dance, Lumberjack Contest, Grand Feature Parade, and much more!
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 LXXXVIII
Emma Grace Snyder
Hambleton, WV
“Selecting Maid Silvia is one of the most important responsibilities of the Director General, and Emma stood out from the very beginning,” Bonnell said. “She is accomplished, thoughtful, and has a genuine appreciation for the traditions and values the Mountain State Forest Festival represents. As we celebrate the 88th Festival with the theme ‘Autumn in Color,’ Emma reflects the spirit of the season – bringing energy, tradition, and the next chapter of Festival history into full color. I am confident she will represent the Festival with grace and serve as an outstanding ambassador throughout her reign.”
Natalie Jean Tyre Barb, 1932 Flower Girl
Announcing Princess Rachel Judith Ogershok! 🍁
Princess Rachel Judith Ogershok was appointed by Senator Michael Oliverio. She is the daughter of Paul and Tami Ogershok of Morgantown. She is the granddaughter of Thomas and Judith Kreitzer of Hundred. Princess Rachel has three brothers, Thomas, Matthew, and Nicholas. Rachel is a 2026 graduate of University High School, where she served as Field Commander of the UHS Band and vice president of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the International Thespian Society, an AP Scholar, and a Golden Horseshoe recipient. In the fall, she will be a freshman at West Virginia University, where she will study criminology as a member of the WVU Honors College.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
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Announcing Princess Lilyana Sue Anderson! 🍁
Princess Lilyana Sue Anderson was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Kent and Hope Anderson of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Sherry Hammer and the late Tom Hammer of Elkins, Roger and Jeanie Anderson of Elkins, and Steve and Jane D’Angelo of Parkersburg. Princess Lilyana has one sister, Kinley. Lilyana is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was in the top 10 % of her class and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She attended WV Rhododendron Girls State and is an active member of Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church. In the fall, she will be a freshman at West Virginia University, where she is studying Physical Therapy/Exercise Physiology, and is a member of the Mountaineer Maniacs and the WVU Newman Club. Lilyana served as a Flower Girl in 2018; her mother, Hope D’Angelo Anderson, served as a Princess in 2000; her grandmother, Sherry Sainto Hammer, served as a Flower Girl in 1960; and her grandmother Jane Richardson D’Angelo was Queen Silvia XXXVIII in 1974.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
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Congrats Lily. We love you. Jane and Steve D’Angelo
Congratulations
Congratulations, Lily! You will have so much fun!
Announcing Princess Autumn Mykenna Grace Wood! 🍁
Princess Autumn Mykenna Grace Wood was appointed by Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Chelsey Lewis and Phillip Hedrick of Beverly and Jason Wood of Huttonsville. She is the granddaughter of Pat and Jack Lewis of Beverly and Bonnie and Randy Wood of Mill Creek. Princess Autumn has one brother, Gabriel Hedrick. She is a 2026 salutatorian of Tygarts Valley High School, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She was a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars, served as Key Club president and an Upward Bound ambassador, and was a member of the Lady Bulldogs basketball team. She also attended WV Rhododendron Girls State. Autumn volunteers for the Appalachian Wounded Warriors, the Beverly Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the YMCA, and she is an elementary school tutor. In the fall, she will be a freshman at Fairmont State University.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
33 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Rachel Judith Ogershok! 🍁
Princess Rachel Judith Ogershok was appointed by Senator Michael Oliverio. She is the daughter of Paul and Tami Ogershok of Morgantown. She is the granddaughter of Thomas and Judith Kreitzer of Hundred. Princess Rachel has three brothers, Thomas, Matthew, and Nicholas. Rachel is a 2026 graduate of University High School, where she served as Field Commander of the UHS Band and vice president of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the International Thespian Society, an AP Scholar, and a Golden Horseshoe recipient. In the fall, she will be a freshman at West Virginia University, where she will study criminology as a member of the WVU Honors College.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Lilyana Sue Anderson! 🍁
Princess Lilyana Sue Anderson was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Kent and Hope Anderson of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Sherry Hammer and the late Tom Hammer of Elkins, Roger and Jeanie Anderson of Elkins, and Steve and Jane D’Angelo of Parkersburg. Princess Lilyana has one sister, Kinley. Lilyana is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was in the top 10 % of her class and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She attended WV Rhododendron Girls State and is an active member of Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church. In the fall, she will be a freshman at West Virginia University, where she is studying Physical Therapy/Exercise Physiology, and is a member of the Mountaineer Maniacs and the WVU Newman Club. Lilyana served as a Flower Girl in 2018; her mother, Hope D’Angelo Anderson, served as a Princess in 2000; her grandmother, Sherry Sainto Hammer, served as a Flower Girl in 1960; and her grandmother Jane Richardson D’Angelo was Queen Silvia XXXVIII in 1974.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats Lily. We love you. Jane and Steve D’Angelo
Congratulations
Congratulations, Lily! You will have so much fun!
Announcing Princess Autumn Mykenna Grace Wood! 🍁
Princess Autumn Mykenna Grace Wood was appointed by Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Chelsey Lewis and Phillip Hedrick of Beverly and Jason Wood of Huttonsville. She is the granddaughter of Pat and Jack Lewis of Beverly and Bonnie and Randy Wood of Mill Creek. Princess Autumn has one brother, Gabriel Hedrick. She is a 2026 salutatorian of Tygarts Valley High School, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She was a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars, served as Key Club president and an Upward Bound ambassador, and was a member of the Lady Bulldogs basketball team. She also attended WV Rhododendron Girls State. Autumn volunteers for the Appalachian Wounded Warriors, the Beverly Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the YMCA, and she is an elementary school tutor. In the fall, she will be a freshman at Fairmont State University.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
33 CommentsComment on Facebook