Mountain State Forest Festival

06/16/2024

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06/10/2024

Applications are now available! 🍟🍔🫔🍗🍧

https://www.forestfestival.com/concession-vendor-application/

06/07/2024

Round up your team for a great day of golf! 🏌

Thank you to Mountaineer Insurance Services, Inc. for their continued support of Presenting Sponsor!

06/03/2024

A reception honoring Maid Silvia L###VI, Lilly Harper Ryan, was held yesterday on the beautiful campus of Davis & Elkins College . Lilly and her Maids of Honor, Kourtney Jones and Jaden Pratt, were welcomed by the Mountain State Forest Festival Board of Directors, Assistant Directors, and their families.

Thank you to Graceland Inn & Restaurant and D&E Dining Services for their sponsorship of the event! 🍁

06/01/2024

Announcing Maid Silvia L###VI Lilly Harper Ryan! 🍁

Ona resident Miss Lilly Harper Ryan has been selected as Maid Silvia for the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival by Director General Peggy Phillips. The selection of Maid Silvia has been kept confidential for months. Miss Ryan will visit Elkins on Sunday to attend a private reception in her honor, sponsored by Graceland Inn and Davis & Elkins College Dining Services.

“I am honored to announce the appointment of Lilly Harper Ryan as Maid Silvia L###VI,” Phillips said. “Lilly frequently visits Elkins and has attended many festivals growing up, as she has close family ties to Elkins. In our conversations, she expressed her love for the Mountain State Forest Festival and how special the people, community, and the traditions of the festival are to her and her family. We believe she is a fantastic selection for Maid Silvia and cannot wait to watch her become Queen Silvia L###VI. I am excited for everyone to meet Lilly and for her to carry on the “Timeless Traditions” of years past.”

Ryan, 20, is the daughter of Retired Lieutenant Colonel Jerry “Chip” Floyd and Amy Floyd of Ona, WV. She is the granddaughter of Frank and Laura Santmyer of Elkins, Jim and Diana Sturm of Huntington, Norwin and Donna Lilly of South Charleston, Joe and Janet Richards of Charleston, Sandra Dennison of Ona and the late Jerry Floyd of Ona. She has one brother, Jaxon Santmyer, and two sisters, Anna and Erin Floyd.

The future Queen Silvia is a 2021 graduate of Cabell Midland High School, where she graduated in the top 5% of her class with very high honors, was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and was an office and teacher assistant. Lilly was also a member of the track and field team. She was a volunteer for Cabell County Special Olympics and participated in the Army National Guard Youth Leaders Camp and Marshall University SCORES. Lilly was selected Rotary Club Student of the Month, received the Freshman Award “Most Likely to Brighten Someone’s Day”, and was Student of the Year for Dual Credit Advanced Math Modeling Course. She danced competitively with Elite Performance Academy in Huntington from age 3 to 16.

In the fall, Lilly will be a Senior at Miami University in Oxford, OH, where she will graduate with Honors with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Disability Studies in December of 2024. Upon admission to Miami, Lilly received the Redhawk Excellence Scholarship and was accepted into the Honors College. She is completing her Honors Undergraduate Research Project focusing on the elevated disability rate in West Virginia. The goal of her project is to increase awareness, outline solutions, and increase representation of individuals with disabilities. Lilly received the Cynthia Kofie Daddieth award for Junior students with exceptional academic performance in Political Science. She was admitted into the combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program and will receive her Master of Arts in Political Science in May of 2025. Lilly is on the Presidents list and is a member of the student advisory board for the Menard Family Center for Democracy. She is also a member of Women in Law, Amicus Curae, Miami Student Foundation, Beta Tau chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and Miami University Fashion and Design.

In her spare time, Lilly enjoys traveling with her family, cooking, crafting, designing, preparing for law school entrance exams, and hanging out with family and friends at home and her sorority sisters at Miami University.

Lilly worked at the Fuel Counter in Barboursville, a locally owned healthy alternative restaurant, interned at the law office of Chad D. Barry LLC, hosted at Pickle and Pig, a prohibition themed eatery in Oxford, OH, and was a Co Communication Director for Sam Lawrence 2022 Campaign for Ohio House of Representatives. This summer, she will be an intern for Shelley Moore Capito. Upon graduating with her Masters in the Spring of 2025, Lilly plans to attend law school and hopes to one day own her own firm.

Ryan will be crowned as Queen of the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival during the Royal Coronation at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, 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.

05/27/2024

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05/25/2024

Announcing Maid of Honor Jaden Faith Pratt! 🍁

Maid of Honor Pratt is the daughter of Seth and Michelle Pratt of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Kenneth and Sharon Burgess of Beverly, and Jim and Harriet Pratt of Charleston, SC. She has one brother, Curt Conrad, and three sisters, Emily Conrad Timmons and husband Joel, Jaycee Pratt and fiancé Christian Mayle, and Saniya Pratt-Taylor. She has one nephew, Liam, and three nieces, Harlow and Genevieve Timmons and Mya Mayle. Jaden’s family hosted International Exchange Students for many years, both at EHS and D&E. She considers Lilly (Norway), Natela (France), Madlen (Germany), and Laura, Nora & Andrea (Spain) her sisters abroad.

Pratt is a 2021 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was an Honor Roll Student, National Honor Society member, 4-year letterman on the Volleyball Team, 2017-2018 EHS Swim Team, 2018 alternate at the WV State Swim Meet, completed the CNA program at the Randolph Technical Center and a SkillsUSA Member. In the fall, Jaden will be a senior at Davis and Elkins College where she plans to obtain her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and become a pediatric nurse. At D&E, she is the recipient of the Highland Scholarship, 4-H scholarship, leadership and legacy scholarships, dean’s list, and a Promise Scholar.

Pratt served as a flower girl in the 76th MSFF, and her mother, Michelle, has volunteered for different events the past 16 years and served as an Assistant Director for four of those years. Her sister, Emily Conrad Timmons, served as a princess in the 71st MSFF.

Maid of Honor Pratt currently works at Smoke on the Water. She has also worked at the Gandy Dancer Theatre and Center Stage Dance Studio as an instructor. Jaden grew up in Randolph County 4-H and was the 2017 Miss Teen Randolph County Fair. She danced for eight years at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, where she was Dancer of the Year in 2017 and a four-year dancer on the Center Stage Dance Competition Team. In her spare time, Jaden enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and attending sporting events.

05/25/2024

Announcing Maid of Honor Kourtney Nicole Jones! 🍁

Maid of Honor Jones is the daughter of John and Amanda Jones of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of John and Judy Haskins of Buckhannon, and the late John Jones and Wilma Rogers of Elkins.

Jones is a 2024 graduate of Elkins High School, where she was class President, Randolph County Votech SkillsUSA President, a member of National Honors Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. Additionally, she completed high school in December of 2023. In the fall, Kourtney will be a freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan College where she is in the Honor’s College and plans to major in Nursing and Dietetics/Nutrition. Her future plans include working as a flight nurse while helping others obtain a healthy diet and lifestyle after studying Nutrition/Dietetics.

Jones served as a flower girl in the 79th Mountain State Forest Festival and her mother, Amanda, served as an Assistant Director for four years.

Maid of Honor Jones is employed at both Randolph County and Upshur County Emergency Squads as an EMT-B and Canaan Valley Resort as a Ski Patroller in the winter and a lifeguard in the summer. Kourtney attends Summit Church and in her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, modeling, pageantry, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Jones and Pratt are bestowed with the highest Randolph County honors in the Forest Festival’s 86th Royal Court. They will accompany Queen Silvia L###VI during her Royal Coronation on October 4, 2024, at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheatre located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.

05/23/2024

We would like to thank everyone for making the first annual MSFF Purse Bingo event a huge success! We look forward to hosting another Bingo event in the future and seeing everyone there.

Thank you to our 2024 Bingo event sponsors!
Eye Works
Vandevander & Nypl, CPAs, AC
Nikki Rogers - State Farm Agent
Salon Bumbi

Thank you to our 2024 Bingo silent auction donors!
Busch, Zurbuch & Thompson, PLLC
Citizens Bank of West Virginia
CTC Auto Salon
Davis Trust Company
Elkins Cinema 8
The Gandy Dancer Theatre
The Gift Garden of DMC
Gingrollsandpancit
Heidi Bray
Ila Kerns
Jimbo’s Place
Jennifer Morgan
Kittle Kutlery
Lea Michelle Photography
Mary Kay by Tina Bonnell
Mountain Valley Bank, N.A.
Pottery by Desire
Robbie & Whitney Morris
Robbie Skinner
Salon Swish
Scentsy by Jana Ruf
SEVENPerformance
Shanna's Tease Co
Top Knot Hair LLC and Nails by Logan
Tygart Hotel
Unique Creations
WashINKton Designs
WVU Randolph County Extension Service

05/20/2024

Congratulations to three of our Assistant Directors on their graduation from Leadership Randolph Class of 2024! We thank Zach Elbon, Karrah Washington, and Whitney Morris for their commitment to the program and moving Randolph County forward.

05/18/2024

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Buckhannon for the 82nd West Virginia Strawberry Festival! 🍓

2023 MSFF Queen Silvia L###V, Anna Marie Ruf and her Royal Court. 🍁

05/13/2024

Registration is open for the Craft Show at the First United Methodist Church. General information and entry forms can be found on our website. 🍁

***Please note the MSFF does NOT coordinate the show at D&E College Gym. Please contact the GFWC Woman's Club of Elkins for more information.***

05/13/2024

Announcing Train Bearer Beckett Leam Pritt! 🍁

Beckett is the son of Kevin and Brenda Pritt of Elkins. He is the grandson of Ted and Peggy Bennett of Elkins, Kenneth and Judy Pritt of Beverly, and Peggy Pritt of Elkins. He is also the great-grandson of Buzz and Brenda Bennett of Norton. He has two brothers, Braxden and Briggs. In the fall, Beckett will be a fourth grade student at Midland Elementary where he is an Honor Roll student. Beckett is a multi-sport athlete playing baseball for 5 years at Elkins Little League, soccer for Seneca Soccer, football for the Elkins Bengals, basketball at Elkins YMCA as well as Midland Elementary, and swimming with the RAYS. He enjoys playing outside with his brothers, friends and his dog, Kimber. Beckett also enjoys going to the beach and attending athletic events. He has high hopes for his future, dreaming of becoming a professional athlete.

05/13/2024

Announcing Train Bearer C**t Owen DeBolt! 🍁

C**t is the son of Corey and Tiffany DeBolt of Elkins. He is the grandson of Dr. John and Annette Henderson of Elkins, Greg and Charlotte Richards of Elkins, and Craig and Kathy DeBolt of Sparrow Point, MD. In the fall, C**t will be a fourth grade student at Midland Elementary where he is an “A” honor roll student. He earned his orange belt at Davis Karate Academy. C**t enjoys the outdoors, spending time at his family camp in Bemis, playing video games, swimming, and hitting golf balls with his dad.

05/13/2024

Announcing Flower Girl Lillian Shae James! 🍁

Lillian is the daughter of Daniel and Ciera James of Beverly. She is the granddaughter of Terry and Annette Mitchum of Adkins, VA, Jerry James of Jane Lew, and Andrew and Teresa Howell of Elkins. Lillian is also the great-granddaughter of Doris Daniels and the late Frank Daniels of Elkins, the late Mary Akers of Bowden, and the late Alice DeTore of Elkins. She has two brothers, Ian and Ryan, and one sister, Ellie. In the fall, she will be a fifth grade student at Beverly Elementary. Lillian is a cheerleader for both Elkins Bengals and her school. She is a dancer with Axis Training, where she also enjoys tumbling. Lillian likes hunting with her father and traveling with her family.

05/13/2024

Announcing Flower Girl Olivia Brooke Howell! 🍁

Olivia is the daughter of Angela and Donald J. Howell Jr. She is the granddaughter of David and Kim Dick of Elkins, and Donald J. Howell Sr. and Michelle Watson, both of Elkins. Olivia has one brother, Mason. In the fall, she will be a fifth grade student at Midland Elementary. Olivia is on the AB Honor Roll and was a member of the 2023-2024 fourth grade basketball team. She was a member of Seneca Soccer and also participated in dance and gymnastics classes. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys doing crafts, sewing, and swimming in her pool. When she grows up, Olivia would like to be a cosmetologist.

05/13/2024

Announcing Flower Girl Adalynn Grace Cooper! 🍁

Adalynn is the daughter of Nathan and Ashley Cooper of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Toni Myers and Brad Reed of Elkins, the late Charles and Mary Nucilli Jones of Elkins, and George and Marsha Worden of Elkins. In the fall, Adalynn will be a fourth grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. She is a three year member of the Mountain Gymnastics Academy Competitive gymnastics team. She is also involved in 4-H and is part of the Lucky Leaf Livestock 4H group. In addition, Adalynn is part of the Elkins Otter Swim. She is an honor student and third grade student council representative. In her free time, Adalynn enjoys playing with her dog, Reddington, and spending time with her family and friends. Her future ambition is to become a veterinarian.

05/13/2024

Announcing Flower Girl Alaina James Bender! 🍁

Alaina is the daughter of Scott and Erica Bender of Norton. She is the granddaughter of Cam and Janet Myles of Elkins, Randy Bender of Elkins, and Deena Bender of Weston. Alaina has one brother, Cason. In the fall, she will be a fourth grade student at Jennings Randolph Elementary where she is a cheerleader for the Jennings Patriots. In addition, Alaina is a cheerleader for the Elkins Bengals and participates in tumbling at Axis Training. She enjoys art, hiking, and playing with her cat. In the future, Alaina plans to be a zookeeper.

05/13/2024

Announcing Scepter Bearer Kennadi Blake Mongold! 🍁

Kennadi is the daughter of Logan Mongold of Beverly and Molly Vance of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Ron and Jane Vance of East Dailey, and Chester and Saundra Mongold of Moorefield. Kennadi has one sister, Averie. She currently attends Montessori Early Learning Center and enjoys riding her bicycle, playing on her swing set, and picking flowers. Kennadi does gymnastics at Tumble Time and enjoys the children’s services at Summit Church of Elkins. When she grows up, Kennadi wants to “make pretty fashion dresses” and become a doctor.

05/13/2024

Announcing Crown Bearer Tinsley Paige Harris! 🍁

Tinsley is the daughter of Tyler Harris and Logan Ryan of Elkins. She is the granddaughter of Richard and Leslie Stasny of Elkins, and Kenneth and Mary Ryan of Elkins. In the fall, Tinsley will be a kindergarten student at Jennings Randolph Elementary. She attends Dance by Farrah, gymnastics by Gary Brown at Center Stage, plays t-ball for Elkins Little League, and she is the 2024 Mini Miss Valentine’s Queen. Tinsley loves being outside, riding her bike, and playing with her cat, Cereal.

05/12/2024

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05/10/2024

Be sure to stop by the Car Show on Opening Day! 🚗

05/09/2024

Band registration is now available on our website for the Jack Basil Field Show Competiton and Grand Feature Parade. 🎺

Save the Date! Registration will be available soon! 🎶🥁

05/07/2024

Registration is now open for the Highland Dance Competition!

05/02/2024

Announcing the 86th MSFF Royal Trumpeteers! 🍁

Left to Right:
Luca Collier
Aidan Lowther
Levi Workman
Preston Herron
Gracelyn Gooding

04/29/2024

Assistant Directors for the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival! 🍁

Front Row from Left: Karrah Washington, Jennifer Morgan, Megan Casto, Director General Peggy Phillips, Deputy Director Lisa Shaffer, Tracy Gooden, Whitney Morris
Back Row from Left: Brian Romero, Derek Wetsch, Keith Corley, Todd Riggleman, Jeff Skidmore, Nathaniel Bonnell, Tony Bates, Zach Elbon

Director General Peggy Phillips states, “I am so excited and extremely honored to be working alongside this group of dedicated and hardworking Assistant Directors. Their love, commitment, and comradery for the MSFF and this community shows in their outstanding work, and I am thankful for everything they have done and continue to do to ensure the success of the 86th ‘Timeless Traditions’ MSFF!”

Read the full article here! https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2024/04/assistant-directors-announced-for-86th-forest-festival/

04/27/2024

Announcing the 86th Royal Court Jesters! 🍁

Eva Collier (front)
Gwynneth Walters
Olivia Chabut
Holliana Huffman
(L to R)

Join the Royal Jesters as they perform for the Coronation of Queen Silvia L###VI on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.

04/24/2024

Silent auction items available at Saturday's MSFF Purse Bingo Event!

Thank you to our donors!
Busch, Zurbuch & Thompson, PLLC
Citizens Bank of West Virginia
CTC Auto Salon
Davis Trust Company
Elkins Cinema 8
Gandy Dancer Theatre & Conference Center
The Gift Garden of DMC
Gingrollsandpancit
Heidi Bray
Jimbo’s Place
Jennifer Morgan
Kittle Kutlery
Lea Michelle Photography
Mary Kay by Tina Bonnell
Mountain Valley Bank, N.A.
Pottery by Desire
Robbie & Whitney Morris
Salon Swish
Scentsy by Jana Ruf
SEVENPerformance
Top Knot Hair LLC and Nails by Logan
Tygart Hotel
WashINKton Designs
WVU Randolph County Extension Service

04/23/2024

Join us for the first annual MSFF Purse Bingo this Saturday! Tickets are still available. https://quickclick.com/r/nj2cq
Tickets purchased by April 26 will be entered to win a Stanley Tumbler!

Thank you to our sponsors!
Eye Works of Elkins
Nikki Rogers - State Farm Agent
Vandevander & Nypl, CPAs, AC
Salon Bumbi

Donations by Main Line Books, Caroline & Co. Boutique, 1201 CrossFit, Big Timber Brewing, Naylor's Ace Hardware - Elkins, Jennifer Moore-Vacation Planner with The Traveling Mouse Company, Nathaniel & Tina Bonnell, Ray & Katie LaMora, Jennifer Morgan, Robbie & Whitney Morris, Ben & Lissa Shaffer, Kaitlin Trickett, and Bryan Warner.

Silent auctions items and concessions will also be available!

Visit the Event Page for full details. https://www.facebook.com/events/419227840625851/?active_tab=discussion

04/22/2024

Director General Peggy Phillips announces the appointment of the Queen's Department for the 86th Mountain State Forest Festival. 🍁

Megan Casto will be serving her second year as the Director of the Queen’s Department. She will lead the planning, coordinating, and delivering of all activities for the Royal Court of the 86th MSFF. In 2022, Casto served as an Assistant for the Queen’s Department. She and her family have been actively involved with the MSFF for many years. Casto has volunteered on several committees to include Princess Orientation, Minor Court, Princess Ambassador, Window Decorating, and Pet Show. She was a Flower Girl in the 1995 MSFF and was a Maid of Honor in the 2008 MSFF. Her husband Dusty was a Trumpeteer for the MSFF from 1998-2000. Casto and her husband have two daughters, Callie and Everly. Callie served as a Scepter Bearer in the 2019 MSFF. Casto is employed as an accountant at Woodford Oil Company.

Hannah Shiflett will return for her second year as a Queen’s Department Assistant. Shiflett has previously volunteered on the Minor Court Committee and was a Princess Ambassador. She was a Maid of Honor in the 82nd MSFF and was a Flower Girl in the 72nd MSFF. Hannah is currently employed as a teacher at Midland Elementary School. Additionally, she is employed at the Gandy Dancer Theatre and Conference Center, where she is in her eleventh season, and is the lead dancer and back-up vocalist.

Allicen Simon will be serving her first year as a Queen’s Department Assistant. She has volunteered with the MSFF for many years on several committees. Allicen served as a Princess Ambassador, as well as serving as the Princess Ambassador Committee Chair. She was Chair of the Princess Housing Committee and was also a Jester Competition Judge. Simon is employed as a substitute teacher for Randolph County Schools. Allicen is married to Mike Simon of Elkins, and they have one daughter, Caroline. Allicen served as a Princess in the 2004 MSFF and Caroline served as a
Flower Girl in the 2023 MSFF.

L to R - Shiflett, Casto, Simon