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
🎡The Mountain State Forest Festival is just around the corner…🍂🎡
And the countdown is on! Don’t miss your chance to SAVE $5 on an Unlimited Ride Wristband when you purchase online before Sunday, September 27 at 6:00 PM. 👀
🎟️ *ONLINE PRE-SALE PRICES:
👉 $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband (good for one Sunday–Thursday)
👉 $25 Unlimited Ride Wristband (good for one Friday or Saturday)
⏰ After September 27 at 6:00 PM:
🎡 $25 Sunday–Thursday wristband
🎡 $30 Friday or Saturday wristband
🎠 Midway Dates:
📅 September 27–October 4
📍 315 Railroad Avenue, Elkins, WV
Grab your savings now and get ready for a week of fall memories on the midway! 🍁✨
🎟️ Purchase your wristbands and view ride information here 👉 gambillamusements.com/events/28
*An Innovative Ticketing convenience fee is applied at checkout.
#mountainstateforestfestival #gotowv #almostheaven #carnival #wednesdaywisdom
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Kim Williams
Nikki Val
Joyce Kramer
Announcing Princess Laney Grace Burns! 🍁
Princess Laney Grace Burns was appointed by Director General Nathaniel Bonnell. She is the daughter of Mark and Stephanie Burns of Parsons. She is the granddaughter of Paul and Gwendolyn Burns of Parsons and Danny and Phyllis Carr of Hambleton. Princess Laney has one brother, Tanner Burns, and one sister, Samantha Blamble. Laney is a 2024 graduate of Tucker County High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, student council president, a class representative, and was in the Top 10 Percent of her graduating class. She was FFA president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She also served as the football videographer, Boys & Girls basketball statistician, and participated in the Tucker County Fair as a livestock showman and exhibitor. In the fall, she will be a senior at West Virginia University, where she is a member of Sigma Alpha Agriculture Sorority, serving as leadership chairman, as well as WVU Collegiate FFA, WVU Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She also serves as West Virginia FFA State Vice President and is a student teacher at Philip Barbour High School.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations sweetheart 💝
Congratulations! So beautiful!
so pretty,congratulations
Announcing Princess Kaley Grace White! 🍁
Princess Kaley Grace White was appointed by WV Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Annette White of Huttonsville. She is the granddaughter of the late Margaret and Harry Coyner of Clarksburg and Daytona Beach, FL. Princess Kaley has one sister, Brittany White. Kaley is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Elkins High School band for four years. She was also a 2019-2020 West Virginia Princess in the Miss West Virginia Organization. In the fall, she will be a sophomore at Shepherd University, where she is majoring in elementary education and is a two-year member of the Shepherd University Ram Band.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
19 CommentsComment on Facebook
Becky White and Papaw (Gary White) are proud of you too!
I’m so proud, Kiki White 🩷
Congratulations on all your achievements
🎡The Mountain State Forest Festival is just around the corner…🍂🎡
And the countdown is on! Don’t miss your chance to SAVE $5 on an Unlimited Ride Wristband when you purchase online before Sunday, September 27 at 6:00 PM. 👀
🎟️ *ONLINE PRE-SALE PRICES:
👉 $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband (good for one Sunday–Thursday)
👉 $25 Unlimited Ride Wristband (good for one Friday or Saturday)
⏰ After September 27 at 6:00 PM:
🎡 $25 Sunday–Thursday wristband
🎡 $30 Friday or Saturday wristband
🎠 Midway Dates:
📅 September 27–October 4
📍 315 Railroad Avenue, Elkins, WV
Grab your savings now and get ready for a week of fall memories on the midway! 🍁✨
🎟️ Purchase your wristbands and view ride information here 👉 gambillamusements.com/events/28
*An Innovative Ticketing convenience fee is applied at checkout.
#mountainstateforestfestival #gotowv #almostheaven #carnival #wednesdaywisdom
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Kim Williams
Nikki Val
Joyce Kramer
Announcing Princess Laney Grace Burns! 🍁
Princess Laney Grace Burns was appointed by Director General Nathaniel Bonnell. She is the daughter of Mark and Stephanie Burns of Parsons. She is the granddaughter of Paul and Gwendolyn Burns of Parsons and Danny and Phyllis Carr of Hambleton. Princess Laney has one brother, Tanner Burns, and one sister, Samantha Blamble. Laney is a 2024 graduate of Tucker County High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, student council president, a class representative, and was in the Top 10 Percent of her graduating class. She was FFA president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. She also served as the football videographer, Boys & Girls basketball statistician, and participated in the Tucker County Fair as a livestock showman and exhibitor. In the fall, she will be a senior at West Virginia University, where she is a member of Sigma Alpha Agriculture Sorority, serving as leadership chairman, as well as WVU Collegiate FFA, WVU Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She also serves as West Virginia FFA State Vice President and is a student teacher at Philip Barbour High School.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations sweetheart 💝
Congratulations! So beautiful!
so pretty,congratulations
Announcing Princess Kaley Grace White! 🍁
Princess Kaley Grace White was appointed by WV Delegate Elias Coop-Gonzalez. She is the daughter of Annette White of Huttonsville. She is the granddaughter of the late Margaret and Harry Coyner of Clarksburg and Daytona Beach, FL. Princess Kaley has one sister, Brittany White. Kaley is a 2025 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Elkins High School band for four years. She was also a 2019-2020 West Virginia Princess in the Miss West Virginia Organization. In the fall, she will be a sophomore at Shepherd University, where she is majoring in elementary education and is a two-year member of the Shepherd University Ram Band.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #ElkinsWV #AutumnInColor #msff2026
19 CommentsComment on Facebook
Becky White and Papaw (Gary White) are proud of you too!
I’m so proud, Kiki White 🩷
Congratulations on all your achievements