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ELKINS - Although rain is in the forecast for the Elkins area through Thursday, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s are predicted for the start of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival on Saturday.
The National Weather Service is calling for mostly sunny weather with a high temperature near 64 on Saturday, which will feature the 2026 MSFF Official Opening Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Jennings Randolph Federal Plaza.
The forecast for Sunday predicts mostly sunny skies with a high near 67. Sunday’s list of MSFF activities features the annual Parade of Children, with this year’s theme "Paws, Wings, and Autumn Things," at 2:30 p.m. The lineup for the parade will be at 1:45 p.m. at the corner of 12th Street and South Davis Avenue.
A full week of fun and family friendly events is planned for the 2026 Mountain State Forest Festival, including the Coronation Ceremonies for Maid Silvia at 2 p.m. Friday, at the Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College.
Another iconic MSFF tradition will roll through town again Saturday, as the 2026 Grand Feature Parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m., featuring marching bands, floats and appearances by state dignitaries.
2026 Mountain State Forest Festival
Schedule of Events
SATURDAY
Sept. 26
6 a.m. Boat Launch
3 p.m. Weigh In
Bass Fishing Classic
Scott Ford Boat Ramp
9 a.m. Middle School
10:30 a.m. High School
MSFF Jack & Jill Relays:
Cross Country
Camp Pioneer
8 a.m. Martial Arts Tournament
Elkins High School
9 a.m. MSFF Highland
Dance Competition (Morning Session)
Intermediate, Premier, & Choreography Competitions
Citizens Bank of WV amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College
Registration 8:30 a.m.
11 a.m. Official Opening Ceremony
Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza
12 p.m. Irish Road Bowling
Registration & Shuttle Service
Big Timber Brewing Co. 2 Davis Avenue
1 p.m. Irish Road Bowling
Georgetown Road Course
Post Game Awards back at Big Timber Brewing
1 p.m. MSFF Highland Dance Competition
(Afternoon Session)
Primary, Beginner & Novice Competitions
Citizens Bank of WV amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College
Registration 12:30 p.m.
1 p.m. Mountain State Street Machines
Davis Avenue
* Inclement Weather: Sunday, Sept 27 at Elkins Physical Therapy & Sports Injury,
Martin Street
2 p.m. Cornhole Tournament
Huntington Bank Drive Thru
Registration 1 p.m.
*Inclement Weather
Location: American Legion
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Forest Festival Kickoff Party & Chili Cook-Off
Davis Avenue
Live Music by BonJourney
* Inclement Weather Location: Phil Gainer Community Center
SUNDAY
Sept. 27
7 a.m.
Pump N Run Pump @ Anytime Fitness
10:30 a.m. 10K Run/5K Walk & Kids Fun Run
Registration Begins (YMCA)
5th Street/Davis Avenue
(Start) 12:30 p.m.
Runners & Walkers Step Off
12:45 p.m.
Kids Fun Run Step Off
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Information Booth Open Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
2:30 p.m. Parade of Children
"Paws, Wings, and Autumn Things"
1:45 p.m. Lineup – Corner of 12th Street & S. Davis Ave
* Inclement Weather Date:
Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Children's Festival Davis Avenue (Between 3rd & 4th Streets)
* Inclement Weather
Location: Elkins High
7 p.m. CONCERT
Elkins' Got Talent
Citizens Bank Festival Stage
Rotary amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
* Inclement Weather
Location: Elkins High School
MONDAY
Sept. 28
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Randolph County Senior Bazaar
Randolph County Senior
Center, 5th Street
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Information Booth Open Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
7 p.m. Parade of Pets & Pet Show
Elkins High School
Gymnasium
Registration 6 p.m.
7 p.m. CONCERT
The Railside Revue
Citizens Bank Festival Stage
Rotary amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
* Inclement Weather Location:
The Railyard
TUESDAY
Sept. 29
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Randolph County Senior Bazaar
Randolph County Senior Center, 5th Street
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Public Tours of Historic
Governor Kump House
401 Randolph Avenue
(across from Kroger)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Information Booth Open Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
6:30 p.m. CONCERT
A Night of Dance
Harper McNeely Auditorium
Davis & Elkins College
WEDNESDAY
Sept. 30
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 p.m. – 7 p.m. Art Center's Annual Fall Juried Art Exhibition
Reception – The Arts Center
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Information Booth Open
Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
7 p.m. CONCERT
Jersey Nights: A Tribute to Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons
Citizens Bank Festival Stage
Rotary amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
* Inclement Weather Location:
Elkins High School
THURSDAY
Oct. 1
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
Elkins City Park
(Shows primarily in the morning for Kids Day in the Park)
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Log Cabin Quilters'
Guild Quilt Show
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mountain Weavers Guild
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Photography Exhibit
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Association
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. MSFF Crafts & More
The Railyard
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. – 8 p.m. Primitive Campers Exhibit
Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Darden Mill Exhibit
Appalachian Forest Discovery Center
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Art Center's Annual Fall Juried Art Exhibition
The Arts Center
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Log-A-Load for Kids
Newlon's International Log Inspection/Log Auction
Ward Road
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Public Tours of Historic Governor Kump House
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. Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner
Distinguished Guest Dinner
Phil Gainer Community Center
7 p.m. CONCERT
Cledus T. Judd
Citizens Bank Festival Stage
Rotary Amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
* Inclement Weather Location:
Elkins High School
FRIDAY
Oct. 2
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. – 6 p.m. Log Cabin Quilters' Guild Quilt Show
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mountain Weavers Guild
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Photography Exhibit
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas
Tree Growers Association
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. MSFF Crafts & More
The Railyard
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. – 8 p.m. Primitive Campers Exhibit
Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Darden Mill Exhibit
Appalachian Forest Discovery Center
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Art Center's Annual Fall Juried Art Exhibition
The Arts Center
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Information Booth Open
Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Pre-Coronation Music & Entertainment
Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College
2 p.m. Coronation of Maid Silvia
Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. EHS Alumni Association Open House
American Legion
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. 3
8 a.m. Lumberjack Contest
Citizens Bank of WV Amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Art Center's Annual Fall Juried Art Exhibition
The Arts Center
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Log Cabin Quilters' Guild Quilt Show
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mountain Weavers Guild
Elkins/Randolph County YMCA
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Photography Exhibit
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Forestry & Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Association
The Railyard
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. MSFF Crafts & More
The Railyard
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. Elkins City Park Events
Elkins City Park
9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Primitive Campers Exhibit
Davis & Elkins College Front Lawn
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Darden Mill Exhibit
Appalachian Forest Discovery Center
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Information Booth Open Corner of Davis Avenue & 3rd Street
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 Feature Parade
12th Street Start
Davis & Randolph Avenues
Presented by Polino Contracting, Inc.
5 p.m. Jack Basil Band Spectacular
Elkins High School
Gates Open at 3:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. CONCERT
Queen Flash: The Ultimate Queen Tribute
Citizens Bank Festival Stage
Rotary Amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
* Inclement Weather Location:
Elkins High School
OCT. 3 – 8 p.m. DRONE SHOW
Presented by WVU Medicine UHC
Rotary Amphitheater at Elkins Town Square
SUNDAY
Oct. 4
7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Buckwheat Cake & Sausage Feed
Izaak Walton League
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Darden Mill Exhibit
Appalachian Forest Discovery Center
11 a.m. Muzzleloading Contest
Izaak Walton League – Tygart Valley Muzzleloading Range
2 p.m. Official Closing Ceremony
Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza
SATURDAY, Oct. 17
9 a.m. Poker Run
Beverly Fire Hall
Stops in Durbin, Seneca Rocks, and Parsons