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ELKINS – Maid Silvia LXXXVIII Emma Grace Snyder will descend Coronation Hill to receive her crown today, wearing "the most royal color of velvet that has never been tried!"
A brilliant hammered-gold velvet was used at the request of 2026 Mountain State Forest Festival Director General Nathaniel Bonnell to enhance the beauty of Maid Emma.
Gown designer and seamstress Connie Linger stated, "What better shade to compliment the 'Autumn in Color' theme!"
Snyder's gown is a princess-seamed, full-skirted, A-line style. The design features a wide surplice collar of ivory and gold metallic brocade, which follows her V-neckline, crosses over itself, and trails around the waistline. It takes on a slight peplum shape, with hints of vintage corset points leading down into the skirt front. In the back, it finishes as more of a belt.
The outer edge of the collar, continuing down to the front corset points, is adorned with a chain of clear, golden, marquise-cut stones. The stones dangle loosely atop the vining metallic leaf embroidery. The back collar falls into two gathered points that flow over the train and are tipped with four-inch gold tassels.
Emma's neckline is trimmed with simple metallic leaf embroidery, which also follows the brocade detail and ends at the back. The full A-line skirt is embellished at every seam with gold leaf trim. At the tops of some of these trimmed seams is a pearl-beaded mum in muted rose gold.
At the center front of Emma's hem is a swirl of embroidered scrollwork forming a five-pointed design in another shade that blends gold and copper. Custom cut rose gold lace appliqués featuring more pearl beaded mums are scattered around the lower skirt. These varying tones of gold against the hammered-gold velvet create a muted texture that reveals light and shadow.
The sleeves of Emma's gown feature the classic puffed shoulder look, and taper to fit the arm. The lower arm is covered by an ivory and gold brocade "gauntlet," which angles up to a point at the elbow and flows down to a classic point on the hand. The point is held in place by a finger loop. It is accented by a single leaf and one marquise cut stone.
"Emma's train features a new design detail that I've wanted to try for years!" Linger said. "I created scrollwork in an oversized, tone-on-tone cord made from her velvet."
The scrollwork climbs up the train and is anchored at strategic points by embroidered and beaded appliqués in various shades. Among the scrollwork are four medallions created from the marquise cut stone chain, with a large round crystal at the center of each. The entire train is bordered by the ivory-and-gold brocade.
"Creating this gown for Emma was a special thrill. It featured so many 'firsts' for me, including the challenge of using shades of gold and discovering just how many shades there are," Linger said.
Many of the details on Emma's gown appear throughout the other gowns and outfits of the Royal Court.
Linger thanked Sheila Scott of Beverly for her embroidered leaves, which were used in headpieces, as well as for some of the scrollwork appliqués for Maid Silvia. She also sewed the six Flower Girl dresses.
She also thanked Lola Collier for her work sewing the Woodly the Elf costume. She has dedicated decades to this work, generously giving her time and talents without compensation. "Recognition must also be given to Elkins Sewing Center, without whom we
could not put this all together!" Linger said, encouraging everyone to "enjoy the celebration, the colors, and the regalia all around!"
Snyder will be crowned Queen of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival during the Royal Coronation at 2 p.m. today at the Citizens Bank of WV Outdoor Amphitheatre, located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.
Attended by 40 princesses from around the state, two Maids of Honor, and a Minor Court, she will receive her crown in an elaborate outdoor ceremony.
The 88th edition of the Mountain State Forest Festival with the theme "Autumn in Color" runs through through Sunday. More information is available by visiting festival social media, www.forestfestival.com, or calling the festival office at 304-636-1824.