After a week of dreary skies during the Mountain State Forest Festival, the weather didn't change much for the anticipated coronation of Maid Silvia LXXIII Alicia Taylor. The possibility of rain caused the pageantry to begin an hour ahead of schedule, giving just enough time for the ceremony to commence below winds and low-hanging clouds.
The presentation of colors by the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College, followed by Jeremiah Franks singing the national anthem, began the 73rd occasion of turning Maid Silvia into Queen Silvia.
Heralding the arrival of dignitaries and the court were royal trumpeteers Teen Marcum, Emily Haddix, Richard Ferrese and Greyson Caplinger.
With her pallet of colors and paintbrush, ready to turn the surrounding trees into magnificent fall colors, came Woodly the Elf Kyatt Bailey to preside over the ceremony.
Royal Scouts Mikayla Markley and Bethany Richards displayed the kneeling pillow for Taylor to rest upon when she received her crown.
Shimmering velvet dresses on 38 princesses of the court soon descended the hillside to represent the colors of the West Virginia forests upon the D&E amphitheater.
Leading the way for Taylor were her flower girls, Cambrie Currence, Korri Evans, Trinity Brown and Abigail Storch; maids of honor Heidi Hamrick and Erin Keller; crown bearer Jillian Barnett; and scepter bearer Luke Jackson.
With the traditional Saber arch ready, Taylor walked toward the stage to receive her crown and begin her reign over the West Virginia forests. Ensuring Taylor's long train did not graze the ground were train bearers Dylan Reckart and Kyle Riggleman.
Jesters Brooke McCollam, Ciara Cooper, Isabella Nieves and Morgan Daniels tumbled down Coronation Hill, entertaining hundreds of spectators and the royal court. The four young women later showed their skills with ribbons, fire batons and hoops.
Sen. Clark Barnes, R-15th District, welcomed the crowd to the ceremony and thus began the process officially making Taylor Queen Silvia LXXIII.
Commissioner of West Virginia Division of Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith explained the history of the MSFF, which began in 1930 to celebrate the state's forest heritage.
West Virginia Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-7th District, administered the Oath of Loyalty before placing the crown upon Taylor's head. The Chancellor, Delegate Bill Hartman, D-37th District, placed the scepter in the queen's hands; the Dean, Sen. Walt Helmick, D-15th District, bestowed the "Mantle of Authority;" the Commissioner, Delegate Mike Ross, D-37th District, presented Taylor with the "Jewel;" and Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott handed her the Key to the City.
Director of the West Virginia Division of Forestry Charles "Randy" Dye and Royal Scouts Cody Schauman and Cameron Wilson gave Taylor a sugar maple sapling before she read the proclamation, presented by West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus Douglas.
D&E President G.T. "Buck" Smith, the Bishop, then led a prayer for the ceremony before Tomblin presented Taylor to the audience and assisted her to the throne.
Seated upon her gold throne, Queen Silvia heard the song penned in her honor, "Silvia" by John Angotti and performed by Franks.
The royal court made its way back up Coronation Hill, led by escorts from the West Virginia University Air Force ROTC to the recessional song, "Simple Gifts."
Friday evening, sirens blared through Elkins during the Fireman's Parade, while the carnival midway continued to light the night sky.
Today, the MSFF continues with a variety of options for entertainment, which include the popular Championship Lumberjack Competition at the D&E amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m., followed by the Hard Hit Classic at 11:45 a.m.
Handmade decor and more will be available at two locations: the craft show at the First United Methodist Church will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the craft show at the D&E memorial gym is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Quilt Show, located at the Otterbein United Methodist Church, and the Juried Art Show at the Randolph County Community Arts Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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 and artisans.
At 10:30 a.m. today, the Knights of the South Branch Valley Riding Tournament will be at the lower front field of D&E College and at 11 a.m. the Toronto Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle Exhibition will take place at Fourth Street and Davis Avenue.
An afternoon of plenty to see along Davis and Randolph avenues begins at 1 p.m. with the Antique and Classic Street Rod Car Parade. At 1:15 p.m. is the Special Units and Log Truck Parade, immediately followed by the start of the Grand Feature Parade at 1:30 p.m.
After the city streets are cleared of floats, bands and more, the Band Field Show begins at 5 p.m. at Wimer Field. Also at 5 p.m. is the Chainsaw Carving Auction in Elkins City Park.
The Toronto Winged Wheels Precision Motorcycle Exhibition takes to Fourth Street and Davis Avenue again at 6 p.m., the same time as the first Country Music Show at Harper-McNeeley Auditorium. The Country Music Show is featuring Bucky Covington and Heidi Newfield. A second Country Music Show begins at 9 p.m. Also at 9 p.m. is the Cabaret, featuring the Santa Cruz Band, at the National Guard Armory.
The 73rd MSFF draws to a close Sunday with the Buckwheat Cake and Sausage Feed, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Izaak Walton League, located along Files Creek Road in Beverly. The Izaak Walton League will also host the Archery Shoot at 9 a.m., while the Muzzleloading Contest, which also begins at 9 a.m. will be at the Tygarts Valley Muzzleloading Range. At 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Graceland Inn on the D&E campus will host the College Aid Luncheon.
The end of the MSFF will be set in stone at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza, when Director General Bob Woolwine and Taylor place her stone and share remarks about the week.
