Trending
We have had many positive comments in recent days about the size of the crowds at last week's 86th Mountain State Forest Festival, with many expressing their belief that it was the best-attended festival in years.
Bright, sunny weather -- from Thursday afternoon on, at least -- certainly helped bring people out, as did the appearances by the West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band on Saturdays. Many families came to Elkins last week -- some for the first time ever -- to watch their relative march with the Pride of West Virginia.
Good attendance for the Forest Festival is an economic boon to Randolph County, and also helps ensure the stability of our annual fall tradition.
Before the moment slips away, we should all say a hearty thank you to the many people who volunteered their time to help bring this year's festival to us.
Director General Peggy Phillips, a longtime festival volunteer who served four years as the Queen's Department Director, kept this year's festivities running smoothly, always with a bright smile.
This year's Queen's Department Director, Megan Casto, and her assistants Hannah Shiflett and Allicen Simon, organized the many appearances by Queen Silvia LXXXVI Lilly Harper Ryan, her Maids of Honor, Kourtney Nicole Jones and Jaden Faith Pratt, the 40 princesses, and the entire Royal Minor Court. As you can imagine, that is quite a job.
Also deserving recognition are Deputy Director Lisa Shaffer and Assistant Directors Anthony Bates, Nathaniel Bonnell, Keith Corley, Zach Elbon, Tracy Gooden, Jennifer Morgan, Whitney Morris, Todd Riggleman, Brian Romero, Jeff Skidmore, Karrah Washington and Derek Wetsch. Anyone attending any MSFF activity last week surely saw several of the red-coated Assistant Directors on hand to help oversee the event.
The MSFF could not be presented each year without the hard work of a small army of volunteers, all of whom do what they do out of love and community spirit.
Anyone who enjoyed any of the 2024 Mountain State Forest Festival's events -- and there was a lot of fun to be had at this year's festival -- will surely join us in telling all the volunteers, "Bravo on a job well done."