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
Announcing Maid Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder! 🍁
Hambleton resident Miss Emma Grace Snyder has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Nathaniel Bonnell. The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months.
“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.”
Snyder, 21, is the daughter of James and Kim Snyder of Hambleton, WV. She is the granddaughter of Alta Snyder and the late Kenneth Snyder of Hambleton, Mary Mauldin and the late Lieutenant Colonel Mack Mauldin of Hendricks, and David and Wilda Shrout of Thomas. Emma has one brother, Adam Lambruno.
The future Queen Silvia is a 2023 graduate of Tucker County High School, where she ranked in the top 10 in her class, was a member of National Honor Society, and a class officer.
Emma graduated with honors from West Virginia University in May 2026, earning a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Religious Studies. She was named Outstanding Senior in Anthropology, served as a researcher and lab manager in the ceramics lab, and presented research at undergraduate symposia, winning her category in the Fall of 2025. Emma also presented at a professional conference in San Fransico, studied abroad in Italy to gain hands on experience, and served as Secretary of the Anthropology Club.
Maid Silvia Emma is continuing her education at WVU for a Master’s in Public History and plans to attend law school. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, traveling, and hiking. Snyder worked as a mentor for the AmeriCorps program, Energy Express, and she served as a Princess in the 86th MSFF.
Snyder will be crowned as Queen of the 88th MSFF during the Royal Coronation at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheatre located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Attended by forty Princesses from around the state, two Maids of Honor, and a Minor Court, she will receive her crown in an elaborate outdoor ceremony.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
86 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats Emma! Seems like yesterday I was babysitting you and learning all about American Girl Dolls & Star Wars! 🥹 You will make the most beautiful Queen Silvia! 🍂
Congratulations!!Emma⚘️🍁
Congrats, Emma & Snyder family! Beautiful pic!
Congratulations to the 2026 Runner-Ups of the 88th MSFF Woodly the Elf Poster Contest! 🍁🎨
Eleanor Davis, Avery Hedrick, and Liam Rinehart will ride along with Woodly, Pierslyn Farley, on the Citizens Bank of WV float in the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Over 30 posters were submitted to compete in this year’s poster contest. The Woodly the Elf contest is open to Randolph County students in second, third or fourth grades — including home school, private or public schools.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations all!
🍁🍂🍁
🍁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 Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder! 🍁
Hambleton resident Miss Emma Grace Snyder has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Nathaniel Bonnell. The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months.
“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.”
Snyder, 21, is the daughter of James and Kim Snyder of Hambleton, WV. She is the granddaughter of Alta Snyder and the late Kenneth Snyder of Hambleton, Mary Mauldin and the late Lieutenant Colonel Mack Mauldin of Hendricks, and David and Wilda Shrout of Thomas. Emma has one brother, Adam Lambruno.
The future Queen Silvia is a 2023 graduate of Tucker County High School, where she ranked in the top 10 in her class, was a member of National Honor Society, and a class officer.
Emma graduated with honors from West Virginia University in May 2026, earning a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Religious Studies. She was named Outstanding Senior in Anthropology, served as a researcher and lab manager in the ceramics lab, and presented research at undergraduate symposia, winning her category in the Fall of 2025. Emma also presented at a professional conference in San Fransico, studied abroad in Italy to gain hands on experience, and served as Secretary of the Anthropology Club.
Maid Silvia Emma is continuing her education at WVU for a Master’s in Public History and plans to attend law school. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, traveling, and hiking. Snyder worked as a mentor for the AmeriCorps program, Energy Express, and she served as a Princess in the 86th MSFF.
Snyder will be crowned as Queen of the 88th MSFF during the Royal Coronation at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheatre located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Attended by forty Princesses from around the state, two Maids of Honor, and a Minor Court, she will receive her crown in an elaborate outdoor ceremony.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
86 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congrats Emma! Seems like yesterday I was babysitting you and learning all about American Girl Dolls & Star Wars! 🥹 You will make the most beautiful Queen Silvia! 🍂
Congratulations!!Emma⚘️🍁
Congrats, Emma & Snyder family! Beautiful pic!
Congratulations to the 2026 Runner-Ups of the 88th MSFF Woodly the Elf Poster Contest! 🍁🎨
Eleanor Davis, Avery Hedrick, and Liam Rinehart will ride along with Woodly, Pierslyn Farley, on the Citizens Bank of WV float in the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Over 30 posters were submitted to compete in this year’s poster contest. The Woodly the Elf contest is open to Randolph County students in second, third or fourth grades — including home school, private or public schools.
#forestfestivalwv #RandolphCountyWV #elkinswv #autumnincolor #msff2026
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations all!
🍁🍂🍁
🍁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