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
🍁It is always a great time when Cledus T Judd rolls into town!
Elkins West Virginia mark your calendars for Cledus T Judd appearing at the Mountain State Forest Festival on Thur Oct 01 for a free community concert at 7pm at the Elkins Town Square Rotary Amphitheater.
For more info on the Mountain State Forest Festival visit
www.forestfestival.com
Mountain State Forest Festival
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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
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🍁It is always a great time when Cledus T Judd rolls into town!
Elkins West Virginia mark your calendars for Cledus T Judd appearing at the Mountain State Forest Festival on Thur Oct 01 for a free community concert at 7pm at the Elkins Town Square Rotary Amphitheater.
For more info on the Mountain State Forest Festival visit
www.forestfestival.com
Mountain State Forest Festival
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
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