BUCKHANNON – Family, friends and local royalty gathered at Wesley Chapel Saturday to witness the crowning of the 81st Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival King and Queen.
Emma Riffe was crowned the 81st West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen. Avery Starkey was crowned the 81st West Virginia Strawberry Festival King.
The king and queen were joined by the WVSF Board of Directors, Junior Royalty Court, Queen’s Court, King’s Minor Court, and the Queen’s Minor Court, among other special guests, to witness this momentous ceremony.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner welcomed all visitors before presenting the king and queen with keys to the city.
“Here, when the festival rolls into town, it’s like time stands still,” Skinner said. “We focus on community, memories and traditions, just good, wholesome fun.”
Riffe was crowned by West Virginia Senator Robert Karnes, while Starkey was crowned by West Virginia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt.
“Buckhannon, West Virginia is more than just a place on a map. It’s more than just a network of 229 streets, houses, buildings, businesses, parks and a highway. It’s even more than just a community. We are a family here,” Skinner said.
Click here to see My Buckhannon’s full Strawberry Festival Schedule of Events.
