Color is beginning to splash the old Appalachian Mountains just in time for Randolph County and the state to mark the 75th celebration of the Mountain State Forest Festival.
Director General Scott Harris and his assistant directors have spent the better part of this year preparing for the week-long festivities; and like so many others, he's hoping good weather prevails.
As the 75th festival is heralded in, activities are planned throughout Elkins. The first major event is set for 10 a.m. today at Jennings Randolph Federal Building Plaza in downtown Elkins when Maid Silvia Logan Burke's royal court will meet the public and officially kick off the week.
"Opening ceremony is always exciting," Harris said.
Before the opening ceremony, participants in the Bass Fishing Classic will launch their boats from Scott's Ford dock at 7 a.m. Weigh-in to determine who had the biggest catch will be at 3 p.m. on the downtown stage in town square.
Although Elkins City Park hasn't yet filled with vendors and displays, there is still activity there today as horseshoe pitchers try their skill during the singles tournament beginning at 9 a.m.
In South Elkins, find out who has the best of the brawn in five categories to take the title of "Strongest Man in the Forest" during the Strong Man Contest beginning at noon today at Wimer Field. Participants in two weight classes will compete in Farmer's Walk, Appollon's Axle, Log Press, Throwing Event and Medley.
The ancient game of Irish Road Bowling comes to Georgetown Road at 1:30 p.m. Teams will compete to see who can toss a 28-ounce cannonball to a finish line in the fewest shots.
The day ends on a high note as the Festival rocks at 7 p.m. when 38 Special takes to the stage in the McDonnell Center on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. With sales in excess of 20 million records, the band is known for its hits "Hold On Loosely" and "Rockin' Into the Night," among others.
The Davisson Brothers band will open the show. With a blend of country, southern rock and bluegrass, the band creates a distinctive sound as captured in their first single, "Big City Hillbilly."
On Sunday, events begin with the 10K Run/Walk. Registration is at 10:30 a.m. at the starting line, Fifth Street and Davis Avenue in Elkins. Runners and walkers step off at 12:30 p.m. and the kid's run begins at 12:45 p.m.
Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, classic cars will line Porter Avenue, located at the Elkins Railyard.
One of the festival's more popular events is the Parade of Children. Lineup is at 1:45 p.m. at the corner of 12th Street and South Davis Avenue, where the parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. The parade route follows Davis Avenue to Fifth Street. This year's Parade of Children theme is "Families: Past, Present and Future." In the event of rain, the Parade of Children will be at Elkins High School.
The Parade of Children will be followed by Pardi Gras, a free street fair from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. along Davis Avenue between Third and Fourth streets.
Headlining the event will be Helium Aerial Dance of New York City, a group of acrobats and dancers with a performance similar to Cirque. Other activities planned for Pardi Gras are face painting by the Old Brick Playhouse, portraits by caricature artist J.D. Williamson, balloon twister Dennis Regling and magician Mark Clayton.
Harris said he thinks families and children will enjoy the activities and atmosphere of Pardi Gras set to take place after the Parade of Children.
"It's going to be really neat," Harris said of Pardi Gras.
Rounding off Sunday is a performance by Parrots of the Caribbean, which covers the songs made famous by Jimmy Buffett. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on the downtown stage at town square.
Monday's activities are the Randolph County Senior Center Bazaar, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the senior center's Fifth Street location in Elkins; the Pet Show at 7 p.m. at the Elkins High School gym; and the Gospel Talent Show at 7 p.m. on the downtown stage in town square. In the event of rain, the Gospel Talent Show will be moved to the Elkins High School auditorium.
Harris is hoping the public takes part in all of the events throughout the weekend and especially those next Saturday - the Grand Feature Parade including new and unique entries, the lumberjack competition and all of the events in Elkins City Park. He also extended his appreciation to all of the assistant directors for their hard work in ensuring all of this year's events run smoothly.
Contact Carra Higgins by email at chiggins@theintermountain.com..
