Submitted photo Randolph County 4-H member Bryer Mallow paints a maple leaf on a downtown Elkins sidewalk last fall. 4-H teens are once again selling leaf stencils to be painted on sidewalks at homes and businesses throughout the city.

ELKINS — Just in time for the fall season and the start of the Mountain State Forest Festival, sidewalks throughout downtown Elkins are getting a splash of color as local 4-H teen leaders have begun spray painting leaf stencils on sidewalks in front of businesses.

In conjunction with the Forest Festival, 4-H members are currently selling maple leaves, which serves as a fundraiser for 4-H youth programs in Randolph County.

Teens from 4-H have been painting the leaves on sidewalks in downtown Elkins for more than 20 years. The event not only provides the teens with valuable work experience in the public, but it also serves as a social activity for the youth.

Each year 4-H members typically paint about 100 leaves around downtown Elkins. Customers will have the option to personalize their leaves this year with a small green 4-H clover signature, which will serve as a proud symbol of community and leadership. Like last year, 4-H members will also be painting leaves at homes of local residents’ requests.

“Every leaf is a way to show support for both the Forest Festival and for our 4-H Teen Leaders who are learning leadership, teamwork and responsibility,” said Katy Dillon, 4-H Program Assistant. “If your downtown business or home could use a leaf or two, or would like your leaves brightened up, ordering is simple.”

Leaf orders are due by Sept. 15 and can be made by calling the Randolph County WVU Extension Office at 304-636-2455, or by visiting https://tinyurl.com/paintedleaves.

“The kids really have a great time going out and painting the leaves,” Dillon said. “They are a great group of kids and they always look forward to doing projects like this one. They’ve already started painting some of the leaves on the downtown sidewalks and they will be out doing more on Labor Day.”