Mountain State Forest Festival Returns to Elkins for 88th Celebration

Elkins will welcome thousands of visitors Sept. 26 through Oct. 4 for a week of parades, music, competitions and fall traditions celebrating West Virginia’s forests and mountain heritage.

Sept. 26 through Oct. 4

Lumberjack Contest

ELKINS, W.V. | When fall arrives in West Virginia, Elkins knows how to put on a celebration.

The Mountain State Forest Festival will return Sept. 26 through Oct. 4 for its 88th year, bringing more than a week of events to Randolph County.

With the theme “Autumn in Color,” the festival will celebrate the state’s forests, mountains and natural resources while continuing traditions that have made the event one of West Virginia’s largest and oldest festivals.

Each year, more than 75,000 visitors make their way to Elkins and the surrounding area for the festival. The event has its roots in West Virginia’s forest heritage.

While the festival is known for its entertainment and long list of activities, its larger purpose is to recognize the role the state’s natural resources have played in its communities and economy.

That message remains part of the festival today, with events highlighting forestry, wood products, conservation, arts and Appalachian culture. For visitors, there is plenty to keep busy.

The festival schedule includes the Grand Feature Parade, Fireman’s Parade, Parade of Children, Lumberjack Contest and Royal Coronation. There will also be live music, a carnival, arts and crafts, competitions and exhibits throughout the week.

Outdoor and athletic events are also part of the lineup. Visitors can take part in or watch the 10K/5K Race, while other competitions include Highland Dance and Irish Road Bowling.

The Lumberjack Contest is one of the festival’s more distinctive events, putting forestry skills and competition in the spotlight. It also connects directly to the festival’s focus on West Virginia’s working forests and wood products.

For those looking for something a little quieter, the festival offers several opportunities to explore local art and craftsmanship. A juried art exhibit, photography contest, quilt show and arts and crafts displays will showcase work from artists and makers.

There will also be a Pet Show, Distinguished Guest Dinner, Queen’s Ball Dance and other community events throughout the week.

The festival’s Royal Coronation remains one of its signature traditions. The event celebrates the festival’s royalty and adds a bit of ceremony to a week that otherwise has plenty of opportunities to get outside, listen to music and enjoy the fall weather.

The Mountain State Forest Festival also brings a significant economic boost to Elkins and Randolph County. With tens of thousands of people coming into the area, local businesses, restaurants, hotels and other community organizations all see the effects of the annual event.

For visitors coming from outside Randolph County, the festival can also serve as a starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains and communities.

Elkins sits in a region known for its forests, mountain scenery and outdoor recreation. A trip to the festival can easily turn into a weekend exploring the area, especially as the leaves begin to change and autumn settles across the mountains.

That combination of tradition and place is a big part of what has kept the Forest Festival going for nearly nine decades.

The festival continues to promote the beauty of West Virginia’s mountains and valleys while encouraging the responsible development, conservation and appreciation of the state’s natural resources.

It is also a chance for longtime residents to return to traditions they grew up with and for first-time visitors to experience a major piece of West Virginia culture.

From lumberjacks and parades to quilts, music and fall colors, the festival offers plenty of ways to spend a day in Elkins.

The 88th Mountain State Forest Festival, “Autumn in Color,” runs Sept. 26 through Oct. 4, 2026, with events taking place throughout Elkins and Randolph County.

For a state known for its mountains, forests and changing seasons, it is a fitting way to welcome fall.

For more information, visit https://www.forestfestival.com/

The 88th Mountain State Forest Festival I Sept. 26 through Oct. 4