Forest Festival Arrives Today
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
The leaves have started to change, maple leaf flags are flying and downtown windows are decorated with familiar fall colors. The Mountain State Forest Festival has arrived.
Early in the week, Director General Lisa Wamsley said she hoped the sun would shine throughout the weekend, however, rain is in the forecast.
Events officially begin today with opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. at the Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza, which has been relocated from the Elkins Town Square.
If rain is coming down on Sunday, the Parade of Children will take place in the Elkins High School gymnasium, and the Elvis impersonator will move to Harper-McNeeley Auditorium on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Both events take place at their regularly scheduled time and date. All other events will be at their scheduled time and location, rain or shine. The MSFF plans to announce any additional event relocations on local radio stations.
"We've got full days," Wamsley said, "and all the events are free except the Classic Rock Show."
Before opening ceremonies, the Horseshoes Singles Tournament begins at 9 a.m. in Elkins City Park.
The director general said she is personally looking forward to the Strongman Competition at Wimer Field today at noon. She says this year's event will be even bigger than its inaugural year, and a special olympian is going for a world record during the competition.
Also today is Irish Road Bowling at 1:30 p.m. on the Georgetown Road. And rounding out opening day is the Classic Rock Show with Eddie Money at 7 p.m. in Davis & Elkins College's Harper-McNeeley Auditorium.
Sunday at 12:15 p.m., walkers in the 10K Run/Walk step off followed by runners at 12:30 p.m. Both groups begin at Fifth Street and Davis Avenue.
Horseshoe pitching continues Sunday at 1 p.m. in Elkins City Park with the doubles tournament. Gambill Amusement rides open at 1 p.m. Sunday in downtown Elkins.
Children will get their opportunity to walk through town costumed for the Parade of Children at 2:30 p.m. This year's parade theme is "A Majestic Celebration."
"Seeing the kids dressed up is always fun," Wamsley commented.
Elvis impersonator Dwight Icenhower will sing the songs of the "King of Rock and Roll" Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Elkins Town Square.
"We've heard he's very good," Wamsley said.
Maid Silvia Kimberly Cover arrives in Festival City this weekend as well, Wamsley said. And whatever the weather may be, she said opening weekend is the perfect time for families to get out and enjoy the festival.
The following is a schedule of events:
TODAY
9 a.m.: Horseshoes Singles Tournament, Elkins City Park.
10:30 a.m.: Official Opening Ceremony, Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Jennings Randolph Federal Plaza.
Noon: Strongman Competition, Wimer Field.
1:30 p.m.: Irish Road Bowling
7 p.m.: Classic Rock Show featuring Eddie Money, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium at Davis & Elkins College.
SUNDAY
Noon: MSFF 10K Run/Walk registration; starting line at Fifth Street and Davis Avenue in Elkins. Walkers step off at 12:15 p.m. Runners step off at 12:30 p.m.
1 p.m.: Horseshoe Doubles Tournament, Elkins City Park.
1 p.m.: Gambill Amusements open, downtown Elkins.
1:45 p.m.: Parade of Children lineup on South Davis Avenue. With the theme "A Majestic Celebration," the parade begins at 2:30 p.m.
7 p.m.: Dwight Icenhower's Tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Harper-McNeeley Auditorium.
MONDAY
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Senior Center Bazaar at Randolph County Senior Center, corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street in Elkins.
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Gambill Amusements open, downtown Elkins.
7 p.m.: MSFF Pet Show, Elkins High School gym.
7 p.m.: Gospel Talent Show, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Elkins High School.
