Cover Crowned Queen Silvia LXXII
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Overcast, rainy, cold weather gave way in time for the coronation of Queen Silvia LXXII Kimberly Cover on Friday afternoon. A hillside filled with spectators witnessed the pallet of colors, dominated by red, purple and silver. Cheers echoed from family and friends who greeted members of the court as they descended from the top of coronation hill.
Emotion overcame Cover as she walked to receive her crown. In her ruby red dress, tears filled her eyes as she approached the Davis & Elkins College Amphitheater.
Gov. Joe Manchin crowned Cover Queen Silvia under a bright fall sun in front of more than a 1,000 people and her court.
Maids of Honor Megan Sponaugle and Jessica Hornick were dressed in purple velvet with off-the-sleeves and thin straps draped over their shoulders. Their full skirts with V-waistlines were embellished with silver.
Flower girls Hailea Harper, Sydney Mullenax, Christine Zurbuch and Hannah Shiflett's dresses resembled those worn by the maids of honor. The four girls wore purple velvet around their arms and shoulders with silver trim and printed taffeta-like material at the bottom.
Also dressed in ruby red, in a style of dress that resembled the queen's, was crown bearer Caroline Newlon. Scepter bearer Warner Gibson and train bearers Jacob White, Blake Loftis and Will Gongola wore gray and red costumes that complemented Cover's dress.
Wineberry, Green Apple, Spanish Moss, Berry Mist, Whispering Pine, Deep Caramel, Wild Strawberry, Heather, Harvest Wheat, Cardinal, Mossy Oak, Raspberry, Mountain Splendor, Blackberry, Forest Green, Autumn Glow, Majestic Plum, Mountain Fern and Royal Red were worn by the 38 princesses of the royal court.
The velvet gowns worn by princesses were full-length, one-piece dresses with spaghetti straps and a wrap worn around the arms. Wraps were held together with sparkling silver clips.
Jesters Taylor Gadd, Katie Preusch, J'aireka Heller and Kayla Carr performed for the crowd and court dressed in purple and silver. The jesters' routine included hula hoops and confetti that sparkled in the bright sun.
State Sen. Clark Barnes, R-15th District, greeted those in attendance and Randall Reid-Smith, commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, presented the history of the Mountain State Forest Festival.
After receiving her crown, Cover read the Oath of Loyalty and was bestowed her royal emblems by the Court Noblemen. Delegate Bill Hartman, D-37th District, presented the scepter; state Sen. Walt Helmick, D-15th District, placed the Mantle of Authority around the queen's shoulders; Elkins Mayor Judy Guye gave the key to the city; Delegate Bill Proudfoot, D-37th District, gave the Jewel, a necklace; and a maple tree was planted by Royal Scouts Lauren Cain, Victoria Guire, Nicholas Dillon and Tyler Kenney along with Charles "Randy" Dye, director of the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
When Cover finished receiving all of her emblems, she read the Proclamation from a scroll presented by the Commissioner of Agriculture Gus Douglass.
More regalia continued with "The West Virginia Hills" and "Silvia" sung by Mark Houser. D&E President Dr. G.T. "Buck" Smith, in his first coronation appearance, led a prayer, and Manchin presented Queen Silvia to her subjects.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the court ascended coronation hill to "Simple Gifts" with escorts from the West Virginia University ROTC Detachment.
With no school in Randolph County and many local businesses closed for the day, Friday gave festival-goers the opportunity to take in the exhibits, concession stands and more.
In Elkins City Park, Appalachian Glass of Weston demonstrated glass blowing. Barbara Turner, whose son owns the business, said they've been coming to Elkins for seven or eight years.
"We love it here," Turner said. "Everyone's really nice and friendly."
The Appalachian Glass tent - filled with a variety of glass items and hand-carved, wooden toys - has been busy so far, Turner said.
Other than unique displays, those in City Park have options for not-so-typical carnival food.
Among the line of vendors in the park alley is Chuckbecks, which stands out thanks to the trailer looking like a wagon. Chuck and Becky Cox of Buckhannon said they've been bringing their barbecue sandwiches smothered with homemade sauce, Angus burgers and homemade desserts to the Forest Festival for seven years.
The crowd, atmosphere, repeat customers and love of the festival keep the couple coming back, she said. On Friday morning, Cox said she was preparing for two very busy days.
For the first year, Wild Bill's Old Fashion Soda from Circleville, Ohio, is paying a visit to the Forest Festival. Wild Bill's soda selection includes root beer, orange soda and vanilla cream soda served in a souvenir tin cup. The facade of Wild Bill's looks like a saloon and is located in City Park for the weekend.
Today's full slate of events begin with sawing and chopping in the Championship Lumberjack Contest at 8 a.m. at the D&E Amphitheater. The Hard Hit Classic follows in the same location at 11:45 a.m.
Most exhibits and craft shows open at 9 a.m. and continue through the evening.
The Knights of the South Branch Valley Riding Tournament kicks off at 10:30 a.m. in the lower front field at D&E.
Along Davis Avenue, the Toronto Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle Team will perform for the crowd at 11 a.m.
Just before the 1:30 p.m. Grand Feature Parade, the Antique and Classic Street Rod Car Parade begins at 1 p.m. along Davis and Randolph avenues. And at 1:15 p.m., the Special Units and Log Truck parade will follow the same route.
High school bands will compete at Wimer Field in the Band Field Show at 5 p.m. The Toronto Winged Wheels perform again along Davis Avenue at 6 p.m.
The day ends with the Country Music Show featuring Lady Antebellum and Craig Morgan at Harper-McNeeley Auditorium at 6 p.m and 9 p.m. Also, to finish Saturday, is the Cabaret at 9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.
Events on Sunday include a Buckwheat Cake and Sausage Feed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League on Files Creek Road. The Muzzle Loading Contest will follow at 9 a.m., also at the Izaak Walton League. Graceland Inn at D&E will host the College Aid Luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
The 72nd MSFF comes to an end Sunday at 2 p.m. with closing ceremonies at the Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza.
