ELKINS — Randolph County 4-H is gearing up to bring a colorful tradition back to Elkins to brighten up the town leading up to the Mountain State Forest Festival.

To help Festival City celebrate the 85th Mountain State Forest Festival, Randolph County 4-H Leaders and Teen Leaders will be painting leaves around town on sidewalks. The leaves can be painted in a variety of fall colors and cost $20.

“The money from the 4-H sidewalk leaves goes toward youth development and projects that the teen leaders are involved in. The teen leaders are currently working on a historic schoolhouse restoration project at Camp Pioneer. 4-H challenges young people to learn by doing,” said Keri Cochran, 4-H program assistant. “The program’s name comes from four guiding words used in the national 4-H pledge: ‘I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.’ 4-H encourages youth to become involved in their communities and to make an impact in their world.”

If any resident or business would like to have a leaf painted on their sidewalk they need to fill out a survey online at https://wvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IEiDKOFRY6cejQ to let the painters know the location, colors and any other important details. The leaves will be painted after business hours on or before Oct. 1. The survey must be completed by Friday.