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 Hailey Sue Riffle! 🍁
Princess Hailey Sue Riffle was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Adrian and Robin Riffle of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Herman and the late Patricia Mallow of Elkins and Melody (Riffle) Jones. Princess Hailey has one sister, Hannah Riffle. She is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a three-time First Team Big Ten conference player, and an All State Honorable Mention player. In the fall, Hailey will be a freshman at Potomac State College, where she plans on pursuing her nursing/RN degree and continuing her softball career.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Dream team gotta be in the forest festival parade. I should’ve done this when I had the guts and vibe. Lol
Congratulations 🍁🍁
He’ll Yeah Hailey!!!😘😘😘
Announcing Princess Marissa Rae Barajas! 🍁
Princess Marissa Rae Barajas was appointed by WV Senator Ben Queen. She is the daughter of Alexis and Glen Haught of Clarksburg and Manuel and Teresa Barajas of Thornton, CO. She is the granddaughter of Tammy and Rick Carson and Glen and Patti Haught, all of Lumberport, Jorge and Franseca Barajas of Denver, CO, and Mike and Linda Huckels of Bayfield, CO. Princess Marissa has one brother, Isaiah, and three sisters, Ana, Ali and Veronique. She is a 2025 graduate of Lincoln High School, where she was an honor roll student, soccer team goalie, sectional champion and Athlete of the Week, and a member of the tennis and track teams and choir. She also played several lead roles in theatre and was a member of Key Club, Student Council, and the Executive Athletic Council. She served as Maid of Honor on both the prom and homecoming courts, completed the Upward Bound program, and received the second-highest scholarship in her graduating class.
In the fall, she will be a sophomore at Davis & Elkins College, where she is an Emerging Leader, Student Ambassador, member of Student Government and Athletes InterVarsity, and a choir member. She has also earned recognition on the Dean’s List. Princess Marissa enjoys volunteering with The Salvation Army and the humane societies of Harrison and Randolph counties.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
20 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Gracie Ann Scott! 🍁
Princess Gracie Ann Scott was appointed by WV Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Nancy and the late Larry Scott of Beverly. She is the granddaughter of the late Ruth and the late Bruce Wimer of Elkins, the late Frances and Donald Scott of Junior, and Annabel Cook of Elkins. Princess Gracie has one brother, Daniel Scott.
She is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a four-year member of the Elkins High School Marching Band, spending two years playing the alto saxophone and two years as a Tigerette. Gracie was also a member of the Jazz Band. As a member of FFA, she served as treasurer for two years, and earned her Greenhand Degree during her first year and her Chapter Degree during her second year. In her free time, Gracie enjoys fishing, caring for her chickens and flowers, and pursuing her passion for floral design as she works toward becoming a florist at Graceful Blooms.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
im so happy for you💗, congrats!!
Congratulations , enjoy
How wonderful. Congratulations. Enjoy every minute of it. ♥️♥️
Announcing Princess Hailey Sue Riffle! 🍁
Princess Hailey Sue Riffle was appointed by Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Adrian and Robin Riffle of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Herman and the late Patricia Mallow of Elkins and Melody (Riffle) Jones. Princess Hailey has one sister, Hannah Riffle. She is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a three-time First Team Big Ten conference player, and an All State Honorable Mention player. In the fall, Hailey will be a freshman at Potomac State College, where she plans on pursuing her nursing/RN degree and continuing her softball career.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Dream team gotta be in the forest festival parade. I should’ve done this when I had the guts and vibe. Lol
Congratulations 🍁🍁
He’ll Yeah Hailey!!!😘😘😘
Announcing Princess Marissa Rae Barajas! 🍁
Princess Marissa Rae Barajas was appointed by WV Senator Ben Queen. She is the daughter of Alexis and Glen Haught of Clarksburg and Manuel and Teresa Barajas of Thornton, CO. She is the granddaughter of Tammy and Rick Carson and Glen and Patti Haught, all of Lumberport, Jorge and Franseca Barajas of Denver, CO, and Mike and Linda Huckels of Bayfield, CO. Princess Marissa has one brother, Isaiah, and three sisters, Ana, Ali and Veronique. She is a 2025 graduate of Lincoln High School, where she was an honor roll student, soccer team goalie, sectional champion and Athlete of the Week, and a member of the tennis and track teams and choir. She also played several lead roles in theatre and was a member of Key Club, Student Council, and the Executive Athletic Council. She served as Maid of Honor on both the prom and homecoming courts, completed the Upward Bound program, and received the second-highest scholarship in her graduating class.
In the fall, she will be a sophomore at Davis & Elkins College, where she is an Emerging Leader, Student Ambassador, member of Student Government and Athletes InterVarsity, and a choir member. She has also earned recognition on the Dean’s List. Princess Marissa enjoys volunteering with The Salvation Army and the humane societies of Harrison and Randolph counties.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
20 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Gracie Ann Scott! 🍁
Princess Gracie Ann Scott was appointed by WV Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Nancy and the late Larry Scott of Beverly. She is the granddaughter of the late Ruth and the late Bruce Wimer of Elkins, the late Frances and Donald Scott of Junior, and Annabel Cook of Elkins. Princess Gracie has one brother, Daniel Scott.
She is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a four-year member of the Elkins High School Marching Band, spending two years playing the alto saxophone and two years as a Tigerette. Gracie was also a member of the Jazz Band. As a member of FFA, she served as treasurer for two years, and earned her Greenhand Degree during her first year and her Chapter Degree during her second year. In her free time, Gracie enjoys fishing, caring for her chickens and flowers, and pursuing her passion for floral design as she works toward becoming a florist at Graceful Blooms.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
im so happy for you💗, congrats!!
Congratulations , enjoy
How wonderful. Congratulations. Enjoy every minute of it. ♥️♥️