Spectators packed the Elkins High School Gymnasium Monday night for the Mountain State Forest Festival Pet Show. Several competitors trotted their pets in front of the judges hoping to take home a prize, while in downtown Elkins 17 people competed in the Gospel Talent Show.
"I enjoy seeing the kids and seeing their faces with the animals," MSFF Assistant Director Mike Karlen said during the pet show. "This event gives them a chance to participate in the festival activities."
Several people brought pets of all shapes and sizes to compete. Dogs cats, turtles and even spiders were paraded in front of the judges and several hundred spectators.
In the Owner Pet Look-a-Like category, Aleigh Kyle with Butter the Pomeranian took first place as both were dressed as lady bugs; Alainah Johnson took second with her chihuahua, Lexi; and third place went to Cayle Dudley and her Maltese Bubbie.
The Largest Cat category was won by Emma Quint with her 25.8-pound Maine Coon named Oliver. Oliver has won the award in three past Forest Festival pet shows. Second Place went to Ryan Scott and his cat Tucker.
Toney Howe and Tuxedo the kitten took home first place in the Most Fitting Name Category. Second place went to Corey Bodkins with Sir Hops A lot the rabbit and Andrew Holbrook took third with Little Red the Rooster.
Benji and owner, Jessie Kittle, took home first place in the Most Obedient Pet category. Trenton Cooper and Shadow took second, while third place went to Rich Danger and his German Shepherd.
Friskie the cat and owner Devan Gear won the award for Prettiest Cat.
Nancy Allen and her 110-pound Great Pyrenees Pres took home first place in the Largest Dog category. Allen said Pres is 4 years old and is a certified therapy dog. Second place went to Scout Barger with Preston the mastiff and third place went to Sydney Calain and Max, a chocolate lab.
Basset Hound Daisy Mae and owner Katyanne Metheny won for Longest Ears. Second place went to Savannah Metheny and her basset hound Abigail. Lexi Reger won third with Magnum the bloodhound.
The Randolph County Humane Society won first place with Mini a pointer mix in the Most Spots Category. Colten Stasny won second with Gunner the Brittany Spaniel and third place went to Jordan Bodkins and Myrtle the Turtle.
Vickie Aucremanne and her tabby cat Munchkin won for Longest Tail and Serene Wiseman took second with Belle the lizard.
First place for the Most Unusual went to Bailey Young with her pet goat Iceis, second place went to Mason Swecker and Tallo the bearded dragon and third place was taken by Brian Schaffer with his pet tarantula Chianches.
Blue Bear the Neapolitan mastiff and his owner Morgan Henry took home first place in the Prettiest Dog category. Second place was taken by Hunter Fath and his bernese mountain dog, Porter and third place went to Leonard Philipps and Pepe the applehead chihuahua.
Bailey Young won first and second place in the Smallest Pet category with Bumble the fish taking first and Zebra the shrimp taking second. The animals were so tiny they could barely be seen in their tanks. Peanut the hermit crab took third place for owner Hannah Ramsey.
Natalie Green and her turtle Mojo won first place in the Reptile category and Chelsey Mowery took second with her iguana Spyro.
Laura and Christopher Tingler were on hand with their ferrets Bandit Drake and Loki Lou. The ferrets were entered in the Best Unique Costume portion of the contest. Laura Tingler took home second place with Loki Lou dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
First place in the division went to Micah Allen with his golden retriever Honey. Allen was dressed as a security guard and the dog as a prisoner complete with a ball and chain. He said his dad works as a security guard at Huttonsville Correctional Center and that was the inspiration for his costume. Alisha Miller won third with her Jack Russell, Tank.
In the Obstacle Course category, Trenton Cooper took first place with Shadow. Second place went to Hallie Harper and Benjie the terrier and third place went to Amber Swisher and Zoey the Chinese Crested.
Maid Silvia LXXIII Alicia Ruth Taylor picked Alainah Johnson and her chihuahua Lexi as the Queen's Choice. Maid of Honor Erin Keller selected Howe and Tuxedo the cat as her choice and Maid of Honor Heidi Hamrick selected Harper and Benji.
The Mountain State Forest Festival Gospel Talent Show was in the Elkins Town Square with 17 acts participating. Nine will return Thursday for Talent Show Finals
In the child division, Brittannie Ramsey of Ellamore took first place; tied for second place was Amber Marstiller of Beverly, and Caleb Helmick and Courtney Foster of Elkins, who performed together.
In the teen division, first place went to Chelsea Anderson of Buckhannon; second place went to Emily Coberly of Valley Bend; and third place went to Cassie Wallace of Elkins.
Louis Westfall of Jimtown took first place in the adult division. Tied for second place was Cheryl Canfield of Hambleton and Adam Nicholson of Mt. Claire.
The Randolph County Senior Center Bazaar opened Monday and organizer Penny Canfield said it was a "beautiful day with lots of people."
Canfield said some of the most popular items are jellys and jams, but the bazaar also offers jewelry, woven rugs, placemats, purses and wooden items.
Maid Silvia and the maids of honor along with the minor court, consisting of flower girls, train bearers, jesters, scepter bearer, crown bearer, royal scouts and Woodly the Elf visited several area businesses and schools on Monday.
The group first made their way to the Kissel Stop in Elkins where the coffee shop presented Taylor with a special blend coffee that will only be sold during the 73rd Mountain State Forest Festival and will never be made available again unless Taylor requests it.
Kissel Stop owner Jay Kissel said Silvia's Choice LXXIII is a simple blend based on Taylor's favorite flavors. He said this year the blend consists of milk chocolate and carmel.
The group then visited Davis Trust Company where the bank presented Taylor with a pitcher and mug. At Youth Health Childcare she was given a leaf shaped candle holder with a candle and a leaf cookie cutter filled with chocolate candies.
The First United Methodist Pre-School students presented Taylor a handmade autumn pillow and sang songs.
Pickens School kindergarten students gave Taylor maple syrup, elementary students presented her with handmade cards and the high school students offered a vocal performance of "Country Roads."
The group then toured Helvetia and had lunch at The Hutte before traveling to Nella's Inc. At Nella's everyone in the group was presented with a leaf candy dish and leaf shaped candles. Maid Silvia was given a leaf candle holder, a journal, note cards and a leaf candy dish filled with maple leaf shaped candies and chocolate. The maids of honor were presented with embroidered pillows and leaf earnings.
At Colonial Place, Taylor was presented with a large wind chime featuring a maple leaf. The maids of honor were also given wind chimes.
At the Youth Health Center she was presented with a basket full of items that Taylor can use throughout the week of the festival including hand sanitizer and candies.
The MSFF with continue today with the Senior Center Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The MSFF Variety Talent Show will be at 7 p.m. on the Downtown Stage in Elkins Town Square. In case of rain, the talent show will be moved to Elkins High School.
The tours will continue today and visits include: Citizens National Bank, Jennings Randolph Elementary School, Third Ward Elementary School, North Elementary School, Coalton School, Elkins Middle School at the EHS Gym, Randolph County Technical Center, Midland Elementary School, Elkins High School, Randolph County Senior Center and the West Virginia Children's Home.
