Big, small, furry or scaley. If you fit one of these categories, or love someone that does, then last night was your night.
Animals and animal lovers from all over the region brought their favorite pets to the Elkins High School gymnasium to compete in the Mountain State Forest Festival Pet Show on Monday night. Fuzzy, feathered friends competed in multiple categories including owner/pet look-a-like and most unusual. Baby, a salmon-crested cockatoo, competed in the most fitting name contest. "He won't play with bird toys," owner Cathy Thornhill, from Montrose, said, "he'll only play with baby toys." Apparently Baby acts his hame as well: stomping his feet when he wants something and having general "tantrums."
Members of the Royal Court gave their over-all choices as the first prizes awarded. Maid of Honor Jessica Hornick chose Brendan Cain with Hanna Montana the shitzu. Megan Sponaugle, also a maid of honor, chose as her favorite, Shana Allen with Honey the golden retriever. The Queen's choice went to Jonah Johnson with Snoopy the cat.
Other winners from all the categories are:
Owner/Pet Look-a-Like: First place, Gracie Swecker with Dixie the poodle/terrier; second place, Alisa Severino with Thunder the schnoodle; third place, Tristen Dumire with Bear the lab.
Most Fitting Name: First place, Elliot White with Oreo the cat; second place, Amy Finchon with Nestle the chocolate lab; third place Alisha Miller with Tank the chihuahua/terrier mix.
Most Obedient: First place, Trenton Cooper with Shadow the chihuahua mix.
Prettiest Cat: First place, Ryan Scott with Tucker; second place, Grace Lindsay with Colt; third place, Grace Cladwell with Tom.
Largest Dog: First place, Leah Warner with Sampson the mastiff.
Most Unusual: First place, Shai Swecker with Tegu the lizard; second place, Debbie Richards with Cindy the chinchilla; third place, Chris Tingler with Loki the ferret.
Prettiest Dog: First place, Colton Stashy with Gunner the brittany; second place, Shana Allen with Honey the golden retriever; third place, Leonard Phillips with Pepe the Mexican chihuahua.
Best Tricks: First place, Katie Varchetto with Sophee the border collie; second place, Kyatt Bailey with Zoe the Australian shepherd mix; third place, Tess Betler with Sally the shitzu.
Smallest Pet: First place, Jonah Johnson with Mr. Jumpy the frog; second place, Andrew Holbrook with Snappy the snapping turtle; third place, Haylie and Rilee Young with DeeDee and CeCe the rabbits.
Unique Costume: First place, Julia Fregonara with Rosie the terrier mix; second place, Micah Allen with Max the Australian shephard mix; third place, Susan Shiflett with Daisy the chihuahua.
Most Spots: First place, Logan Ryan with Elsie the brittany; second place, Ani Reger with Beemer the daschund; third place Vickie Aucremanne with Dexter the maltese.
Longest Tail: First place, Steven Vititoe with Bandit the cat; second place, Lexi Reger with Harley the daschund; third place, Lindsay Roy with Taco the teacup chihuahua.
Obstacle Course: First place, Sunny Austin with Scooter the terrier mix; second place, Shai Swecker with Dixie; tied for third, Ani and Lexi Reger with Beemer and Harley.
Longest Nose: First place, Sandra Vitioe with Chloe the doberman; second place, Cassie Lantz with Princess the Sheltie mix.
The Gospel Talent show was also held Monday night on the downtown stage in the town square. Talent from far and wide took to competition performing their favorite gospel numbers. Among the three age-based categories were winners from across the region.
Adult Gospel: First place, Evan Hedrick of Davis; second place, Mike and Sandy Shaffer of St. George; third place, Cheryl Canfield of Hambleton.
Teen Gospel: First place, Adam Nicholson of St. Clair, W.Va.; second place, Cassie Polce of Norton; third place, Seth Marstiller of Beverly.
Children's Gospel: First place, Candace Means of Elkins; seond place, Hillary Mayle of Grafton, W.Va.; third place, Amber Marstiller of Beverly.
The following is a schedule of events:
TODAY
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.: Variety Talent Show, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Elkins High School.
WEDNESDAY
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Primitive Camper Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Gambill Amusements open, downtown Elkins
6 p.m.: Photography Exhibit/Contest, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins
7 p.m.: Country Talent Show, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Elkins High School.
THURSDAY
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Log Inspection for Log-A-Load Auction, Newlons International on U.S. 219 and U.S. 250 south
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Elkins City Park exhibits and entertainment open
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins
9 a.m. - 8 p.m.: Women's Club Craft Show, Davis & Elkins College gym
10 a.m. 9 p.m.: Primitive Campground Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Photography Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins
11 a.m.: Log-A-Load Auction, Newlons International on U.S. 219 and U.S. 250 south
Noon - 9 p.m.: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit opens, VFW, intersection of Randolph and Davis avenues, Elkins
Noon - 9 p.m.: West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Exhibit, VFW, intersection of Randolph Avenue and College Drive, Elkins
Noon - 9 p.m.: Mountain Weavers Guild Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Library, Davis Avenue, Elkins
4 p.m.-9 p.m.: Craft Show, First United Methodist Church on Kerens Avenue in Elkins and First Baptist Church on Randolph Avenue in Elkins.
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Gambill Amusements open, downtown Elkins
6 p.m.: Distinguished Guest Dinner, National Guard Armory, Elkins
7 p.m.: Talent Show Finals, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Elkins High School.
FRIDAY
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Senior Center Bazaar at Randolph County Senior Center, corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street in Elkins
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.: Craft Show, First United Methodist Church on Kerens Avenue in Elkins and First Baptist Church on Randolph Avenue in Elkins.
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Primitive Campground Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Photography Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Quilt Show, Otterbein United Methodist Church, South Davis Avenue, Elkins
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit opens, VFW, intersection of Randolph Avenue and College Drive, Elkins
9 a.m. -9 p.m.: West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Exhibit, VFW, intersection of Randolph Avenue and College Drive, Elkins
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Mountain Weavers Guild Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Library, Davis Avenue, Elkins
10 a.m. - 11 p.m.: Gambill Amusements open, downtown Elkins
2 p.m.: Coronation of Maid Silvia LXXII Kimberly Dawn Cover at Davis & Elkins College Amphitheater. Queen's reception immediately follows in Halliehurst Mansion.
5 p.m.-6 p.m.: Backwater Junction perform, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square.
6 p.m.: Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle exhibition, Fourth Street and Davis Avenue, Elkins
8 p.m.: Elkins Volunteer Fire Department Fireman's Parade, Davis and Randolph Avenues, Elkins9 p.m.: Queen's Ball with band The Production?Company, National Guard Armory, Elkins
SATURDAY
7 a.m.: Championship Lumberjack Competition Registration, Davis & Elkins College Amphitheater
8 a.m.: Championship Lumberjack Contest, Davis & Elkins College Amphitheater
8 a.m. -6 p.m.: Elkins City Park exhibits and entertainment open
9 a.m.: Horseshoe Pitch, Single A, Elkins City Park
9 a.m.: Primitive Campground Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College
9 a.m.: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit opens, VFW, intersection of Randolph Avenue and College Drive, Elkins
9 a.m.: West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Exhibit, VFW, intersection of Randolph Avenue and College Drive, Elkins
9 a.m.: Mountain Weavers Guild Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Library, Davis Avenue, Elkins
9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Senior Center Bazaar at Randolph County Senior Center, corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street in Elkins
9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Photography Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Craft Show, First United Methodist Church on Kerens Avenue in Elkins and First Baptist Church on Randolph Avenue in Elkins.
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins
10:30 a.m.: Knights of South Branch Valley Riding Tournament, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College
11 a.m.: Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle exhibition, Fourth Street and Davis Avenue, Elkins
11:45 a.m.: Hard Hit Classic, Davis & Elkins College Amphitheater
1 p.m.: Antique, Classic and Street Rod Parade, Davis and Randolph avenues, Elkins
1:15 p.m.: Special Unit Truck and Log Truck Parade, Davis and Randolph avenues, Elkins
1:30 p.m.: Grand Feature Parade , Davis and Randolph avenues, Elkins
4:45 p.m.: Band Field Show, Wimer Field. Rain location at Elkins High School
5 p.m.: Chainsaw Carving Auction, Elkins City Park
6 p.m.: Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle exhibition, Fourth Street and Davis Avenue, Elkins
6 p.m.: Country Music Show featuring Craig Morgan and Lady Antebellum, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium at Davis & Elkins College
9 p.m.-Midnight: Cabaret with band The Production Company National Guard Armory in Elkins
Oct. 5
7 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Buckwheat Cake and Sausage Feed, Izaak Walton League, Files Creek Road, Beverly
9 a.m.: Muzzle Loading Contest, Izaak Walton League, Files Creek Road, Beverly
12:30 p.m.: College Aid Luncheon, Graceland Inn at Davis & Elkins College
4 p.m.: Closing Ceremony, Jennings Randolph Federal Plaza, Elkins
