Mountain State Forest Festival: West Virginia's Premier Annual Celebration

The Mountain State Forest Festival is West Virginia's largest annual festival, held each autumn in Elkins (Randolph County). It celebrates the state's forestry heritage, timber industry, natural resources, and outdoor recreation culture.

Festival Overview

• Duration: 10 days (typically early October)
• Founded: 1930
• Hiatus: 1942-1945 (World War II)
• Annual Attendance: ~200,000 visitors
• Economic Impact: ~$10M+ to region

Signature Events

• Grand Feature Parade: Floats, marching bands, forestry equipment, beauty queens
• Timber & Woodsmen Competition: Chainsaw carving, log rolling, axe throwing, crosscut sawing, pole climbing
• Forestry Education Program: Exhibits, demonstrations, school tours on sustainable forestry
• Music Festival: Multiple stages; bluegrass, country, folk, Appalachian traditional
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 100+ juried artisans; woodworking, pottery, textiles, jewelry
• Carnival/Midway: Rides, games, food vendors
• Fireworks Display: Grand finale
• Queen Coronation: Festival queen and court scholarship program
• 5K Run/Walk: Through autumn foliage
• Golf Tournament, Car Show, Quilt Show

Historical Significance

Founded by Elkins Business Men's Association to promote the region's hardwood industry. Early festivals featured "Paul Bunyan" logging shows and forest fire prevention education. The festival survived WWII suspension, 1985 flood damage, and 2020 pandemic cancellation (virtual events only).

Elkins & Regional Context

• Gateway to Monongahela National Forest (921,000 acres)
• Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad excursion trains
• Nearby: Spruce Knob (WV high point), Seneca Rocks, Cass Scenic Railroad, Snowshoe Mountain
• Forestry Education: West Virginia University Forestry program; USDA Forest Service research

2024+ Planning

Typically first full week of October. Check mountainstateforestfestival.com for exact dates, schedule, lodging (books early), and vendor applications.