ELKINS — Young Randolph County students will compete to become the official mascot of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival.

MSFF officials have announced the annual Woodly the Elf poster contest for the annual autumn celebration.

The poster winner will become a member of the Royal Minor Court of Queen Silvia LXXXVIII, and additionally make appearances at the Buckwheat Festival and Strawberry Festival.

The Woodly the Elf contest is open to Randolph County students in second, third, or fourth grades — including home school, private, or public schools. Four runner-ups will be chosen and invited to ride on the Woodly the Elf float in the Grand Feature Parade.

The poster must depict Woodly the Elf, preferably watching or participating in one or more Mountain State Forest Festival events. The design must incorporate this year’s theme, “Autumn in Color,” and must be written legibly on the poster.

The rules of the contest include:

∫ The poster is to be on a 22 x 28-inch poster board.

∫ Only one entry per student is permitted; this is not a group project.

∫ Be creative and imaginative. You may use glue, glitter, material, etc. in your design. You may not use photos or any identifying text on the front of the poster.

∫ On the back of the poster, you must write the following sentence and sign your name: “I have completed this poster by myself.”

Completed posters can be returned to the child’s school or dropped off at the festival office at 10 11th Street, Office F in Elkins.

Contest entries are due by Friday, April 1. No late entries will be accepted.

Entry forms are available at local elementary schools and the Mountain State Forest Festival office located at 10 11th Street, Office F. Entry forms may also be downloaded at www.forestfestival.com. Woodly the Elf’s costume and associated fees are paid for by the sponsor, Citizens Bank of West Virginia.

The 88th edition of the Mountain State Forest Festival will be celebrated Sept. 26 – Oct. 4. More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com, or calling the festival office at 304-636-1824.