Ben Shaffer, resident of the MSFF Board of Directors, began the festivities by welcoming everyone to the event and introducing Director General Jon Morgan.

“It’s a great day to be in Elkins and I want to welcome everyone as we kick off this year’s events,” said Morgan. “Serving as director this year has been an incredible honor and I’m thrilled to welcome you all to this year’s events. Our theme this year is ‘Endlessly Wild & Wonderful’ and we come together to embrace the natural beauty and culture of West Virginia.”

Morgan thanked his MSFF assistant directors and all the volunteers working to put this year’s festival together. He introduced the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College, who marched into the plaza and played the opening music for the ceremony.

The MSFF Royal Scouts then raised the American flag at the plaza, and C.J. Bray performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Pastor Roy Schneider gave the invocation, and then Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco spoke.

The West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College perform during opening ceremonies for the 2023 MSFF Saturday in Elkins.

“As the mayor of the City of Elkins I would like to welcome everyone to the 85th Mountain State Forest Festival,” Marco said. “The Forest Festival provides us with a variety of memories, but the one thing we all have in common is that it serves as a homecoming for our friends and family … Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Forest Festival or a seasoned veteran, I hope you experience the magic that makes this city special.”

Marco thanked Morgan and all the volunteers who have worked hard to make the festival a reality. He also paid tribute to the late John Zirbs, who passed away in 2021.

“There is still a little bit of a hole in our heart today,” Marco said. “John Zirbs, known as Mr. Forest Festival, loved everything there was about this event. I challenge each and every person here today to try and channel his spirit throughout the week. John was a very special person.”

Marco also asked everyone to say a special prayer for former Elkins Mayor Van Broughton, who is currently recovering from a medical procedure.

The Jennings Randolph Elementary School Choir performed the first of two songs it performed during the event, and then Megan Casto, director of the Queen’s Department, introduced the Royal Court.

Maid Silvia Anna Marie Ruf’s Maids of Honor, Miriam Fath and Sophia Shoemaker, made a gift presentation to Morgan, and the JRES Choir performed “Country Roads” before Schneider gave the benediction to close the ceremony.

The full schedule of MSFF events includes:

Today

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Randolph County Senior Bazaar

Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street

5-9 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

6:30 p.m. – Citizens Bank Festival Stage

Rotary Amphitheater, Elkins Town Square A Night of Dance – Area Dance Groups

7 p.m. – Parade of Pets & Pet Show -Elkins High School gym

Tuesday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Randolph County Senior Bazaar

Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street

3-5 p.m. – Public Tours of Historic Governor Kump House Wild, Wonderful Woods Exhibit 401 Randolph Avenue (across from Kroger)

5-9 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

7 p.m. – Citizens Bank Festival Stage

Rotary Amphitheater, Elkins Town Square, Talent Show

Wednesday

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Primitive Campers Exhibit

Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Randolph County Senior Bazaar

Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street

5-9 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

5-7 p.m. – MSFF Juried Arts Exhibit Seneca Trail Artist Guild

Juried Art Show Reception – The Arts Center

6-8 p.m. – Photography Participant Reception

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

7 p.m. – Citizens Bank Festival Stage

Rotary Amphitheater, Elkins Town Square

American Pride – The Statler Brothers Tribute

Thursday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Randolph County Senior Bazaar

Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Kids Day in the Park

Elkins City Park

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Elkins City Park Events *Three Days of Events: (Shows primarily in the morning for Kids Day in the Park)

Chainsaw Carvers – The Mason Dixon Boys

Conservation Village

Dino-ROAR! (Friday Only!)

The Dynamo Dogs

Glass Blowing – Appalachian Glass

HillBilly Fun Inflatable Bounce Houses

Laurel Fork Falconry

Vendors & Exhibitors

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Mountain State Forest Festival Crafts & More

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Photography Contest Exhibit

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins Juried Arts & Craft Show Martin Fieldhouse of Davis & Elkins College

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Primitive Campers Exhibit

Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – MSFF Juried Arts Exhibit Seneca Trail Artist Guild

The Arts Center

11a.m. – 3 p.m. – Log-A-Load for Kids

Newlon’s International Log Inspection/Log Auction, Ward Road

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Public Tours of Historic Governor Kump House Wild, Wonderful Woods Exhibit 401 Randolph Avenue (across from Kroger)

5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

5:30 p.m. – Distinguished Guest Pre-Dinner Reception

Phil Gainer Community Center

6 p.m. – Distinguished Guest Dinner

Phil Gainer Community Center

7 p.m. – Citizens Bank Festival Stage

Rotary Amphitheater, Elkins Town Square Vegas McGraw – Tribute to Tim McGraw

Friday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Randolph County Senior Bazaar

Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Elkins City Park Events

Elkins City Park

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Mountain State Forest Festival Crafts & More

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins Juried Arts & Craft Show

Martin Fieldhouse of Davis & Elkins College

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Photography Contest Exhibit

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. Elkins/Randolph Co. YMCA

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Primitive Campers Exhibit

Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Mountain Weavers Guild

Darden Mill Museum – Railroad Avenue

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – MSFF Juried Arts Exhibit Seneca Trail Artist Guild

The Arts Center

11 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

Noon – Axe Women Loggers of Maine

Elkins City Park, Presented by Naylor’s Ace Hardware

1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Pre-Coronation Music & Entertainment

Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater, Davis & Elkins College

2 p.m. – Coronation of Maid Silvia LXXXV

Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater, Davis & Elkins College

3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Axe Women Loggers of Maine

Elkins City Park, Presented by Naylor’s Ace Hardware

7:30 p.m. – Elkins Volunteer Fire Department Fireman’s Parade

Davis & Randolph Avenues

9 p.m. – Queen’s Ball

Phil Gainer Community Center

Saturday, Oct. 7

8 a.m. – Lumberjack Contest

Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater, Davis & Elkins College

8 a.m. -4 p.m. – MSFF Juried Arts Exhibit Seneca Trail Artist Guild

The Arts Center

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild Quilt Show

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Elkins City Park Events

Elkins City Park

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Mountain State Forest Festival Crafts & More

First United Methodist Church

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins Juried Arts & Craft Show Martin Fieldhouse of Davis & Elkins College

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Photography Contest Exhibit

Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. Elkins/Randolph Co. YMCA

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Primitive Campers Exhibit

Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Mountain Weavers Guild

Darden Mill Museum – Railroad Avenue

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Information Booth Open

Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Axe Women Loggers of Maine

Elkins City Park, Presented by Naylor’s Ace Hardware

1 p.m. – Antique and Classic Street Rod Car Parade

12th Street Start

1:15 p.m. – Log Truck & Equipment Parade

12th Street Start

1:30 p.m. – Grand Feture Parade

12th Street Start, Presented by Polino Contracting, Inc.

5 p.m. – Jack Basil Band Field Show

Elkins High School

Sunday, Oct. 8

7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Buckwheat Cake and Sausage Feed

Izzak Walton League

11 a.m. – Muzzleloading Contest

Izaak Walton League Tygart Valley Muzzleloading Range

2 p.m. – Official Closing Ceremony

Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza