BUCKHANNON – The West Virginia Strawberry Festival tapped its red berry royalty over the weekend.

Queen-elect Caylie Simmons of Franklin, W.Va., and Teen Queen Madison Stellato, of Morgantown, will preside over the 79th annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival, scheduled for May 13-16 in Buckhannon.

Simmons and Stellato were chosen at the conclusion of Saturday’s Teen/Queen Pageant, which got under way at 2 p.m. April 17 at the South Buckhannon Mission Church.

WVSF Teen/Queen Pageant Director Kristy Tenney Spencer said she thought Simmons and Stellato were excellent choices.

“I felt everything went well,” Spencer said. “All the contestants represented themselves with grace and beauty. Our Teen Queen and Queen-elect seem to be excited to dive into festival activities. I’ve already messages from Caylie about Coronation. I am thrilled at the prospect of spending the year with this group of ladies and have high hopes that our maids join us as much as their schedules will allow.”

First Maids Charli Crandall and Jenna Biggs and Second Maid Ava Warner will make up the rest of the Strawberry Festival’s royal court. In addition, the festival welcomed new hostess princesses Johnnie-Jo Hovis of Buckhannon and Victoria Gifford of Morgantown, as well as junior hostess princesses Victoria Adams and Channing Gillum, both of Buckhannon.

Simmons will be crowned during the WVSF Coronation, slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 13 at The Way of Holiness Church.

The Junior Royalty Pageant is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at The Way of Holiness Church.

This year’s theme is “Home is Where the Strawberries Are.” Click here for a full schedule of events or access the festival’s website here.