The Mountain State Forest Festival is kicking into high gear today after Wednesday's mid-week activities under sunless, rainy skies are in the book. Randolph County continued to welcome Maid Silvia Alicia Taylor and her court with gifts and songs while locals showcased their talents on the Downtown Stage.
At Huntington Bank in Elkins, Taylor was given a framed print of the lyrics to "West Virginia Hills" while Maids of Honor Heidi Hamrick and Erin Keller received autumn-themed figurines. The bank also gave members of the minor court books about West Virginia.
Huntington Bank President Randall Underwood said the institution always bestows gifts with a West Virginia theme because the MSFF celebrates the entire state and its forest heritage.
Just down Davis Avenue at Mountain Valley Bank Taylor received another state-themed gift, a throw depicting various state emblems. Hamrick and Keller were given candles also with West Virginia symbols; and the minor court received silver coin sets.
When the royal entourage traveled to the southern point of the county they were greeted by Valley Head Elementary students. The school presented Maid Silvia with a gift package, which included a recipe book, an angel suncatcher and a candle. Students also gave the court pictures they had colored.
Tygarts Valley Middle/High School gave the court a loud welcome with the school fight song and cheers before presenting her with a basket of gifts. Principal Steve Wamsley handed out chocolate "dog paw" suckers to the children and maids of honor.
The school also recognized their classmate and Trumpeteer Teena Marcum, who was presented with a TVHS sweatshirt and tickets to 10 home sporting events.
Beverly Elementary students had a special treat with their mid-day meals, lunch with Maid Silvia and her court. Principal Paul Zickafoose said the children enjoyed meeting Taylor. Zickafoose explained the court's visit was particularly meaningful because Flower Girls Korri Evans and Cambrie Currence and Scepter Bearer Luke Jackson are students at Beverly Elementary, while Jester Morgan Daniels is an alumna of the school. Evans, Currence, Jackson and Daniels were given stuffed teddy bears.
Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Beverly sang "Grand Old Flag" and "This Land is Your Land" for Taylor and her court and presented her with a ceramic fall angel. Maid Silvia also took home the floral centerpiece, donated by Blossom Village, which adorned her lunch table.
At Harman, Taylor said the school was close to her heart because she had two cousins graduate from the school. Taylor and her court were treated to a performance of "Grand Old Flag" by the fourth- and fifth-grade students. Harman School students Sheridan Bonner and Isaac Bennett presented Taylor with a wreath.
The visits continued at Grant County Bank in Harman where Taylor and her maids of honor were presented with hand-made wooden pitchers from Tom Campbell. The minor court was also presented with gift bags filled with candy items.
MSFF royalty then made their way back across the mountains for a stop at the Randolph County Courthouse. Randolph County Circuit Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong welcomed the group to the 107-year-old courthouse. She said Taylor was the first Maid Silvia to visit the courthouse during her official tour. Randolph County Commission President and uncle to Maid Silvia, Mike Taylor, presented the future queen with a plaque that featured the courthouse; and Wilfong presented Taylor and her maids of honor with handmade jewelry. The minor court, jesters and trumpeteers were presented with gift bags.
Cold temperatures and drizzles of rain caused the Country Talent Show, with 27 contestants, to move indoors at Elkins High School Wednesday night. Top honors in the adult division went to Ashley Hinerman of Bridgeport; second place was taken by Louis Westfall of Jimtown; and Michael Bonnett of Elkins received third place. In the teen division, Emily Coberly of Valley Bend won first place; second place went to Chelsea Anderson of Buckhannon; and Lauren Godfrey of Clarksburg received third place. The child division was won by Alex Volentir of Coalton; Morgan and Lindsey McCollam of Elkins took second place; and Amber Marstiller of Beverly received third place.
The winners will compete at 7 p.m. today on the Downtown Stage in the Elkins town square to determine the overall winners. In case of rain, the event will be at Elkins High School.
Skills of artists were unveiled Wednesday evening during the Randolph County Community Arts Center/Seneca Trail Juried Art Show at the Randolph County Community Arts Center.
Woodburning artist Paul Ends had one of his portraits on display, which he considered an honor. Ends said he was impressed with all the "outstanding" art on display.
Elkins youth Luke Pawelczyk was also at the opening night and was excited to see hanging in the gallery his painting of a man fishing. It was a surprise to Pawelczyk that his portrait had been submitted and received an award.
As tours concluded and afternoon rains continued Wednesday, tents began to dot Elkins City Park and the lower campus of Davis & Elkins College in preparation for the exhibits and activities beginning today.
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today Elkins City Park is hosting a variety of events: Dock Dogs, the Oglebay Resort's Zoo-To-You, The Old Brick Playhouse, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Barnyard Petting Zoo, free train rides for children, chainsaw carver Andy Kerns, blacksmith Jerry Allen and several vendors.
The Randolph County Senior Center Bazaar continues today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elkins location along Fifth Street.
Also starting at 9 a.m. today is the craft show at the D&E gymnasium, the Randolph County Community Arts Center/Seneca Trail Juried Art Show at the RCCAC along Randolph Avenue and the Photography Exhibit/Contest at the Elkins/Randolph Family YMCA. The craft show closes its doors at 8 p.m. and the Juried Art Show and Photo Exhibit/Contest will end at 9 p.m.
The Primitive Campground Exhibit will open to the public at 10 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Log-A-Auction will take place at Newlons International along the Beverly Five-lane. Today, the Log Cabin Quilters Guild Quilt Show and Boutique begins at the First Baptist Church in Elkins from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Elkins VFW will host the Forestry and Wood Products and the West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Exhibits from noon until 9 p.m. During the same hours, the Mountain Weavers Guild will be at the Elkins-Randolph County Library.
From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Craft Show at the First United Methodist Church and Seneca Mall will be open to visitors.
The National Guard Armory in Elkins will become an elegant dining experience when the MSFF court make its appearance during the Distinguished Guest Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Giving the key note address is Rod Snyder, executive vice president of the Young Democrats.
