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 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 Maid of Honor Kendall Rayann Corley! 🍁
Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Nathaniel Bonnell has announced the appointments of Kendall Rayann Corley and Grace Elizabeth Parsons as Maids of Honor to Queen Silvia LXXXVIII. Corley and Parsons are bestowed with the highest Randolph County honors in the Forest Festival’s 88th Royal Court.
Maid of Honor Corley is the daughter of Keith and Beth Corley of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Jack and Bonnie Batdorf of Elkins and the late John Kenneth and Jean Corley of Elkins. Kendall has one sister, Alexa Corley Eva.
Kendall is a 2025 graduate of Highland Adventist School and Randolph Technical Center. She was an honor roll student, a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and a recipient of the Governor’s Workforce Credential. In the fall, Kendall will be a freshman at Pierpont Community and Technical College. Maid of Honor Corley plans to major in the Paramedic Program with future plans of obtaining a Nationally Certified Paramedic Certificate. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, raising chickens, playing with her dogs, Norman and Gunner, and spending time with family and friends.
Kendall served as a Jester in the 83rd Mountain State Forest Festival. Her father, Keith, served as an Assistant Director for three years and her mother, Beth, served as a Flower Girl in the 40th MSFF and a Princess in the 53rd MSFF. Her great aunt, Molly Batdorf White served as a Maid of Honor in the 23rd MSFF.
Maid of Honor Corley works at Upshur County Emergency Squad full time as an EMT-B, part time with Anmoore Fire and EMS as an EMT-B, and Mountain State Cheer Academy as a tumbling instructor. Kendall is also a certified firefighter and was a junior firefighter for Beverly Volunteer Fire Department.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
43 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations from Donna & Kenny. Have a wonderful time.🍁🍂
Aww she is the sweetest!!!!
Congratulations, Kendall 🍁
Announcing Maid of Honor Grace Elizabeth Parsons! 🍁
Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Nathaniel Bonnell has announced the appointments of Kendall Rayann Corley and Grace Elizabeth Parsons as Maids of Honor to Queen Silvia LXXXVIII. Corley and Parsons are bestowed with the highest Randolph County honors in the Forest Festival’s 88th Royal Court.
Maid of Honor Parsons is the daughter of John and Amy Parsons of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of James and Karen Bialek of Elkins and Jo Ellen and the late James F. Parsons of Elkins, and William Jack Fuhrman and Barbara Fuhrman.
Parsons is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a four-year completer in Culinary School at Randolph Co Technical Center. In the fall, she will be a licensed kennel operator and groomer. She studied at the Old Brick “The New School” and was a member of the cast of the Murder Mysteries at the Gandy Dancer. Grace attends Mount Carmel Baptist Church and is a member of their youth group. She enjoys being outdoors, camping, fishing, gardening, cooking, and researching Genealogy. She also enjoys volunteering at the Randolph Co Humane Society.
Grace served as a Crown Bearer in the 75th Mountain State Forest Festival. Her mother, Amy Bialek-Parsons, served as a Princess in 1992, volunteered for many years including designing the Coronation pillow from 1993-2023, was an assistant in the Queen’s Department from 2004-2006, and an Assistant Director from 2010-2012. Her grandmother, Karen Bialek started volunteering in 1976 and was an Assistant Director from 1994-2000 before becoming Director General in 2001 and then serving as Board President and a Board Member until 2020. Her uncle, JB Bialek, served as a Train Bearer in 1990, and her aunt, Ashley Bialek-Flanagan, served as a Maid of Honor in 2004.
Maid of Honor Parsons currently works at Rising Sun Kennel LLC. She is striving to establish her own kennel and grooming facility and currently cares for animals while their owners are away.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
97 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats Grace!
Congratulations!!!! So happy for you!💖🍁🍂
Congratulations! We’re so happy for you and your family!❤️😍🥰
Registration is now open for City Park Vendors & Non-Profit Exhibitors.
Apply Online!
www.forestfestival.com/registration-forms/
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Maid of Honor Kendall Rayann Corley! 🍁
Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Nathaniel Bonnell has announced the appointments of Kendall Rayann Corley and Grace Elizabeth Parsons as Maids of Honor to Queen Silvia LXXXVIII. Corley and Parsons are bestowed with the highest Randolph County honors in the Forest Festival’s 88th Royal Court.
Maid of Honor Corley is the daughter of Keith and Beth Corley of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Jack and Bonnie Batdorf of Elkins and the late John Kenneth and Jean Corley of Elkins. Kendall has one sister, Alexa Corley Eva.
Kendall is a 2025 graduate of Highland Adventist School and Randolph Technical Center. She was an honor roll student, a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and a recipient of the Governor’s Workforce Credential. In the fall, Kendall will be a freshman at Pierpont Community and Technical College. Maid of Honor Corley plans to major in the Paramedic Program with future plans of obtaining a Nationally Certified Paramedic Certificate. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, raising chickens, playing with her dogs, Norman and Gunner, and spending time with family and friends.
Kendall served as a Jester in the 83rd Mountain State Forest Festival. Her father, Keith, served as an Assistant Director for three years and her mother, Beth, served as a Flower Girl in the 40th MSFF and a Princess in the 53rd MSFF. Her great aunt, Molly Batdorf White served as a Maid of Honor in the 23rd MSFF.
Maid of Honor Corley works at Upshur County Emergency Squad full time as an EMT-B, part time with Anmoore Fire and EMS as an EMT-B, and Mountain State Cheer Academy as a tumbling instructor. Kendall is also a certified firefighter and was a junior firefighter for Beverly Volunteer Fire Department.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
43 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations from Donna & Kenny. Have a wonderful time.🍁🍂
Aww she is the sweetest!!!!
Congratulations, Kendall 🍁
Announcing Maid of Honor Grace Elizabeth Parsons! 🍁
Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Nathaniel Bonnell has announced the appointments of Kendall Rayann Corley and Grace Elizabeth Parsons as Maids of Honor to Queen Silvia LXXXVIII. Corley and Parsons are bestowed with the highest Randolph County honors in the Forest Festival’s 88th Royal Court.
Maid of Honor Parsons is the daughter of John and Amy Parsons of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of James and Karen Bialek of Elkins and Jo Ellen and the late James F. Parsons of Elkins, and William Jack Fuhrman and Barbara Fuhrman.
Parsons is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a four-year completer in Culinary School at Randolph Co Technical Center. In the fall, she will be a licensed kennel operator and groomer. She studied at the Old Brick “The New School” and was a member of the cast of the Murder Mysteries at the Gandy Dancer. Grace attends Mount Carmel Baptist Church and is a member of their youth group. She enjoys being outdoors, camping, fishing, gardening, cooking, and researching Genealogy. She also enjoys volunteering at the Randolph Co Humane Society.
Grace served as a Crown Bearer in the 75th Mountain State Forest Festival. Her mother, Amy Bialek-Parsons, served as a Princess in 1992, volunteered for many years including designing the Coronation pillow from 1993-2023, was an assistant in the Queen’s Department from 2004-2006, and an Assistant Director from 2010-2012. Her grandmother, Karen Bialek started volunteering in 1976 and was an Assistant Director from 1994-2000 before becoming Director General in 2001 and then serving as Board President and a Board Member until 2020. Her uncle, JB Bialek, served as a Train Bearer in 1990, and her aunt, Ashley Bialek-Flanagan, served as a Maid of Honor in 2004.
Maid of Honor Parsons currently works at Rising Sun Kennel LLC. She is striving to establish her own kennel and grooming facility and currently cares for animals while their owners are away.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
97 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats Grace!
Congratulations!!!! So happy for you!💖🍁🍂
Congratulations! We’re so happy for you and your family!❤️😍🥰
Registration is now open for City Park Vendors & Non-Profit Exhibitors.
Apply Online!
www.forestfestival.com/registration-forms/
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
0 CommentsComment on Facebook