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
Can't make it to Coronation or the Grand Feature Parade? Don't worry. Kolsun Media has you covered! 🍁
Volunteer opportunities are available to help with video production. Visit their page to learn more.👑🍂 WATCH THE TRADITION LIVE! 🍂👑
One of the most treasured traditions of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival is coming to you LIVE!
Join us Friday, October 2 for the Coronation of Queen Silvia LXXXVIII and experience the tradition, pageantry, pomp and circumstance as Maid Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder is crowned Queen Silvia.
🎶 Pre-Coronation Music — 1:00 PM
👑 Coronation — 2:00 PM
Whether you’re joining us in Elkins or watching from miles away, you can be part of this special Forest Festival tradition through the official livestream.
📱 Scan the QR code on the graphic to visit the livestream and get notified when we go live, or watch here:
Watch the Coronation Livestream on YouTube
www.youtube.com/live/aGMnGxWiVjI?si=jcR87JacyLeJ-Pg1
🍁 Tradition. Pageantry. A moment generations have shared.
We hope you’ll join us as another chapter of Mountain State Forest Festival history is written.
🎥 Livestream produced by Kolsun Media
#MountainStateForestFestival #MSFF #AutumnInColor #QueenSilvia #Coronation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
🍁🍂🍁
Announcing Princess Morgan Lear Cowgill! 🍁
Princess Morgan Lear Cowgill was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Kenn and Amy Cowgill of Keyser. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Debbie Umstot of Keyser and the late Maynard and Kim Cowgill of Cumberland, MD. Princess Morgan has one brother, Mason. Morgan is a 2026 graduate of Frankfort High School, where she served as the marching band drum major, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Vice President of the senior class. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, FFA, and the state champion cross country team. Morgan was named a Burger King Scholar and Promise Scholar, and completed the Plant Sciences program at the Mineral County Technical Center. She is currently a freshman at Shepherd University where she is majoring in social work and has the goal of being a child life specialist with hopes of working in children’s hospitals. Morgan attends Centenary United Methodist Church. She has been a member of Mineral County 4-H for ten years, where she was a junior counselor at younger camp and was Chief of the Cherokee Tribe at older camp. She was also named Spirit of older camp in 2025.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
23 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Morgan!! This is quite an honor. You will be busy, but enjoy every minute!!👑👸
Wonderful….a family tradition 🍂🍁🥳
Congratulations Morgan
Announcing Princess Raighan Talor Hall Carte! 🍁
Princess Raighan Talor Hall Carte was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of John W. Carte II and R. Heather Hall of Montrose. She is the granddaughter the late John W. Carte I and Ruth A. Carte of Vienna and Eric A. Hall and Rebecca S. Hall of Glenwood. Princess Raighan has one brother, John W. Carte III, and one sister, Kenadi Sloane Hall Carte. Raighan is a is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High, where she was Student Government President, National Honor Society Vice President, and Senior Class Council Secretary. She received the Austen Moore Kindness Scholarship, the Pat Schoonover Excellence in Science Scholarship, HOBY Academic All-Star Award, and Elkins High School’s Student Government and National Honor Society scholarships. She is currently a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, where she received the Presidential Scholarship and is a member of the HTC Honors College.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
30 CommentsComment on Facebook
Gorgeous girl!!!
Congrats🍁. What an honor 👏🏼
Congratulations 🎉 girl can’t wait to see you come down the hill.
Can't make it to Coronation or the Grand Feature Parade? Don't worry. Kolsun Media has you covered! 🍁
Volunteer opportunities are available to help with video production. Visit their page to learn more.👑🍂 WATCH THE TRADITION LIVE! 🍂👑
One of the most treasured traditions of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival is coming to you LIVE!
Join us Friday, October 2 for the Coronation of Queen Silvia LXXXVIII and experience the tradition, pageantry, pomp and circumstance as Maid Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder is crowned Queen Silvia.
🎶 Pre-Coronation Music — 1:00 PM
👑 Coronation — 2:00 PM
Whether you’re joining us in Elkins or watching from miles away, you can be part of this special Forest Festival tradition through the official livestream.
📱 Scan the QR code on the graphic to visit the livestream and get notified when we go live, or watch here:
Watch the Coronation Livestream on YouTube
www.youtube.com/live/aGMnGxWiVjI?si=jcR87JacyLeJ-Pg1
🍁 Tradition. Pageantry. A moment generations have shared.
We hope you’ll join us as another chapter of Mountain State Forest Festival history is written.
🎥 Livestream produced by Kolsun Media
#MountainStateForestFestival #MSFF #AutumnInColor #QueenSilvia #Coronation
1 CommentComment on Facebook
🍁🍂🍁
Announcing Princess Morgan Lear Cowgill! 🍁
Princess Morgan Lear Cowgill was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Kenn and Amy Cowgill of Keyser. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Debbie Umstot of Keyser and the late Maynard and Kim Cowgill of Cumberland, MD. Princess Morgan has one brother, Mason. Morgan is a 2026 graduate of Frankfort High School, where she served as the marching band drum major, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Vice President of the senior class. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, FFA, and the state champion cross country team. Morgan was named a Burger King Scholar and Promise Scholar, and completed the Plant Sciences program at the Mineral County Technical Center. She is currently a freshman at Shepherd University where she is majoring in social work and has the goal of being a child life specialist with hopes of working in children’s hospitals. Morgan attends Centenary United Methodist Church. She has been a member of Mineral County 4-H for ten years, where she was a junior counselor at younger camp and was Chief of the Cherokee Tribe at older camp. She was also named Spirit of older camp in 2025.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
23 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Morgan!! This is quite an honor. You will be busy, but enjoy every minute!!👑👸
Wonderful….a family tradition 🍂🍁🥳
Congratulations Morgan
Announcing Princess Raighan Talor Hall Carte! 🍁
Princess Raighan Talor Hall Carte was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of John W. Carte II and R. Heather Hall of Montrose. She is the granddaughter the late John W. Carte I and Ruth A. Carte of Vienna and Eric A. Hall and Rebecca S. Hall of Glenwood. Princess Raighan has one brother, John W. Carte III, and one sister, Kenadi Sloane Hall Carte. Raighan is a is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High, where she was Student Government President, National Honor Society Vice President, and Senior Class Council Secretary. She received the Austen Moore Kindness Scholarship, the Pat Schoonover Excellence in Science Scholarship, HOBY Academic All-Star Award, and Elkins High School’s Student Government and National Honor Society scholarships. She is currently a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, where she received the Presidential Scholarship and is a member of the HTC Honors College.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
30 CommentsComment on Facebook
Gorgeous girl!!!
Congrats🍁. What an honor 👏🏼
Congratulations 🎉 girl can’t wait to see you come down the hill.