Save the Date for the 88th Forest Festival
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 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.”
Natalie Jean Tyre Barb, 1932 Flower Girl
Announcing Train Bearer Archer Abram Broschart! 🍁
Archer is the son of Jamie and Marlena Broschart of Elkins. He is the grandson of Linda Davis and the late Jerry Davis of Elkins and the late William and Marie Broschart of Jimtown. Archer has two brothers, Alexander and Aidan, and two sisters, Aaliyah and Taylor. In the fall, Archer will be a third-grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. Archer is active in several sports including playing basketball for the YMCA Jerry West League, Upward Basketball, Jennings Randolph Patriots, baseball for Elkins Little League, and Soccer with Seneca Soccer. He has been awarded many star student awards from his teachers. Archer also enjoys staying active by running and has participated in the MSFF Kids Fun Run the last two years. He enjoys swimming, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. His sister, Aaliyah, was a Royal Scout in 2014.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Train Bearer Elliott Robert Chenoweth! 🍁
Elliott is the son of Robert and Misty Chenoweth of Elkins. He is the grandson of Jay and Kathy Judy of Elkins and Joyce Chenoweth of Elkins and the late Gary Chenoweth. Elliott has three brothers, Jacob, Eli, and Levi, and two sisters, Jillian and Riley. In the fall, Elliott will be a fourth-grade homeschooled student. Elliott enjoys mathematics and problem solving. He also enjoys engineering projects and likes to be creative and think outside the box. He likes playing basketball and soccer and loves fishing, camping, riding his bike, and playing video games. In the future he plans to be an engineer and or inventor. His mother, Misty, was a Jester in 1996.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
37 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations handsome! 🍁
Congratulations to this young man ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations handsome young man
Announcing Flower Girl Bailey Lynn Pennington! 🍁
Bailey is the daughter of Daniel and Chasity Pennington of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Mark and Kitty Poling of Montrose, Jerry Barkley, and Maxine and Joe Arbaugh of Seneca Rocks. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Layton “Dan” Pennington of Elkins and Leah and the late Arthur “Bud” Woods of Elkins. Bailey has one brother, Aiden. In the fall, she will be a third-grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. Bailey has been a dancer at Dance by Farrah for five years and a member of the competition team for the past three years. In addition to dance, she trains in tumbling with Axis and is a cheerleader at Jennings Randolph Elementary. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, spending time with her dog, dancing, and being outdoors. Bailey aspires to become a dentist in the future.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
35 CommentsComment on Facebook
aww congratulations! she will have so much fun 🎉🎉
Oh, my goodness!! Congratulations!!
congrats Bailey you will do amazing! have fun! 🍁
Announcing Train Bearer Archer Abram Broschart! 🍁
Archer is the son of Jamie and Marlena Broschart of Elkins. He is the grandson of Linda Davis and the late Jerry Davis of Elkins and the late William and Marie Broschart of Jimtown. Archer has two brothers, Alexander and Aidan, and two sisters, Aaliyah and Taylor. In the fall, Archer will be a third-grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. Archer is active in several sports including playing basketball for the YMCA Jerry West League, Upward Basketball, Jennings Randolph Patriots, baseball for Elkins Little League, and Soccer with Seneca Soccer. He has been awarded many star student awards from his teachers. Archer also enjoys staying active by running and has participated in the MSFF Kids Fun Run the last two years. He enjoys swimming, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. His sister, Aaliyah, was a Royal Scout in 2014.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Train Bearer Elliott Robert Chenoweth! 🍁
Elliott is the son of Robert and Misty Chenoweth of Elkins. He is the grandson of Jay and Kathy Judy of Elkins and Joyce Chenoweth of Elkins and the late Gary Chenoweth. Elliott has three brothers, Jacob, Eli, and Levi, and two sisters, Jillian and Riley. In the fall, Elliott will be a fourth-grade homeschooled student. Elliott enjoys mathematics and problem solving. He also enjoys engineering projects and likes to be creative and think outside the box. He likes playing basketball and soccer and loves fishing, camping, riding his bike, and playing video games. In the future he plans to be an engineer and or inventor. His mother, Misty, was a Jester in 1996.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
37 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations handsome! 🍁
Congratulations to this young man ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations handsome young man
Announcing Flower Girl Bailey Lynn Pennington! 🍁
Bailey is the daughter of Daniel and Chasity Pennington of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Mark and Kitty Poling of Montrose, Jerry Barkley, and Maxine and Joe Arbaugh of Seneca Rocks. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Layton “Dan” Pennington of Elkins and Leah and the late Arthur “Bud” Woods of Elkins. Bailey has one brother, Aiden. In the fall, she will be a third-grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. Bailey has been a dancer at Dance by Farrah for five years and a member of the competition team for the past three years. In addition to dance, she trains in tumbling with Axis and is a cheerleader at Jennings Randolph Elementary. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, spending time with her dog, dancing, and being outdoors. Bailey aspires to become a dentist in the future.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
35 CommentsComment on Facebook
aww congratulations! she will have so much fun 🎉🎉
Oh, my goodness!! Congratulations!!
congrats Bailey you will do amazing! have fun! 🍁