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 Rhaygen Elizabeth Kyle! 🍁
Princess Rhaygen Elizabeth Kyle was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Angela Kyle of Mill Creek. She is the granddaughter of Robin Wamsley of Dailey and Anthony Kyle of Petersburg. Princess Rhaygen has one brother, Ryan Belcher, and one sister, Lilli Scherm. Rhaygen is a 2026 graduate of Tygarts Valley High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, outdoors club, and was a cheerleader. In the fall, she will be freshman at Fairmont State University.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
congrats!!
Congratulations Rhaygen. And Mom and Dad. 😊😊🥰
Way to go, Rhaygen!!!!!!!!!
Announcing Princess Braelyn Shayne Bonnell! 🍁
Princess Braelyn Shayne Bonnell was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Nathaniel and Christina Bonnell of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Loren and Charlene Bonnell of Kerens and the late Charles Fischl and the late Carolyn Moyers of Durbin. Princess Braelyn has one sister, Kelsea. Braelyn is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, an honor roll student, and was selected to attend the 2025 WV Rhododendron Girls State. In the fall, she will be freshman at West Virginia University where she will be majoring in Exercise Physiology. She danced with Dance by Farrah for 16 years and helped teach dance classes for five years. She is a member of Mercy Chapel Church.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
27 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Emily Grace Bacorn! 🍁
Princess Emily Grace Bacorn was appointed by MSFF Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Evan and April Bacorn of Buckhannon. She is the granddaughter of Clifford and Sherry Weese of Elkins and Dana Bacorn of Buckhannon. Princess Emily is a 2026 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader and a member of the National Honor Society. She earned bronze rank at National FFA, placed first in WV State FFA agricultural communications, earned a FFA State Degree, and participated in Upshur County FFA Sentinel. In the fall, she will be freshman at Potomac State College, where she is a WV Promise Scholar recipient.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Rhaygen Elizabeth Kyle! 🍁
Princess Rhaygen Elizabeth Kyle was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Angela Kyle of Mill Creek. She is the granddaughter of Robin Wamsley of Dailey and Anthony Kyle of Petersburg. Princess Rhaygen has one brother, Ryan Belcher, and one sister, Lilli Scherm. Rhaygen is a 2026 graduate of Tygarts Valley High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, outdoors club, and was a cheerleader. In the fall, she will be freshman at Fairmont State University.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
congrats!!
Congratulations Rhaygen. And Mom and Dad. 😊😊🥰
Way to go, Rhaygen!!!!!!!!!
Announcing Princess Braelyn Shayne Bonnell! 🍁
Princess Braelyn Shayne Bonnell was appointed by WV Senator Robbie Morris. She is the daughter of Nathaniel and Christina Bonnell of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Loren and Charlene Bonnell of Kerens and the late Charles Fischl and the late Carolyn Moyers of Durbin. Princess Braelyn has one sister, Kelsea. Braelyn is a 2026 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, an honor roll student, and was selected to attend the 2025 WV Rhododendron Girls State. In the fall, she will be freshman at West Virginia University where she will be majoring in Exercise Physiology. She danced with Dance by Farrah for 16 years and helped teach dance classes for five years. She is a member of Mercy Chapel Church.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
27 CommentsComment on Facebook
Announcing Princess Emily Grace Bacorn! 🍁
Princess Emily Grace Bacorn was appointed by MSFF Board President Scott Harris. She is the daughter of Evan and April Bacorn of Buckhannon. She is the granddaughter of Clifford and Sherry Weese of Elkins and Dana Bacorn of Buckhannon. Princess Emily is a 2026 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader and a member of the National Honor Society. She earned bronze rank at National FFA, placed first in WV State FFA agricultural communications, earned a FFA State Degree, and participated in Upshur County FFA Sentinel. In the fall, she will be freshman at Potomac State College, where she is a WV Promise Scholar recipient.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
18 CommentsComment on Facebook