Furry Friends Frolicking
Animals win honors at MSFF Pet Show
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ELKINS – More than 30 furry friends were on display at the annual Mountain State Forest Festival Pet Show and Parade of Pets Monday evening.
Attended by Maid Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder, Maids of Honor Kendall Rayann Corley and Grace Elizabeth Parsons, members of the minor court and the public, the annual competition saw 31 pets participate in 11 categories this year.
The show, which was held at the Elkins High School gymnasium, was emceed by Melissa Bishop. Judging the categories was Macie Romero, who was a Maid of Honor for the 87th Mountain State Forest Festival, Miss Randolph County Fair 2026 Peyton Petrice, and Amelia Preusch, who was a Maid of Honor for the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival.
The following winners were announced at the end of the night:
Best Rescue: Ghost, a dog who joined her family in 2023 after being surrendered to the Randolph County Humane Society.
Best Pure Breed: Goldie, a four-month-old Golden Retriever who has “a heart as golden as her name.”
“Fit Check,” also known as Best Costume: Levi, a dog presented by Ella Elbon. Elbon was dressed as Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” while Levi was outfitted to look like Sebastian the Crab.
“Say Treat,” also known as Best Smile: Sequel, a two-year-old Golden Retriever.
“It’s Tricky,” also known as Best Trick: Dolly, a Border Collie who performed several obedience tricks.
Most Unusual Pet: Pebbles, a guinea pig who has “cow licks all over his little body” and red eyes.
Best Strut: Benny, a dog who showed off his walk to “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.
Golden Gang (10+ years old): Benny Boy, an 11-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
“Eye Candy,” also known as Prettiest Eyes: Ava, a Great Dane and Siberian Husky mix, with heterochromatic eyes, one brown and one blue.
Most Squash-able Face: Hazel, a two-year-old pure-bred English Bulldog.
Certified Cutie: Koda, a French Bulldog who has a “small body, but a big attitude.”
Snyder, Corley, Parsons and MSFF Director General Nathanial Bonnell also presented awards to their overall favorites from the Pet Show.
Corley gave her Maid of Honor’s Choice award to Hercules, a French Bulldog who participated in the Certified Cutie category, and Parsons awarded her Maid of Honor’s Choice to Goldie the Golden Retriever.
Snyder gave her Maid Sylvia’s Choice award to Ranger, a Collie Shepherd mix who participated in the Certified Cutie category.
Bonnell gave the Director General’s Choice award to Milo, a 15-week-old Goldendoodle who participated in the Certified Cutie category.
Pet Show contestant Levi dressed as Sebastian the Crab from ‘The Little Mermaid’ for the ‘Fit Check’ category.
Hazel, winner of the ‘Most Squash-able Face’ category, prepares to meet the Pet Show judges.