All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Strawberry Festival pageant selects 2024 royalty

2024 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen-Elect Gracie Marsh. (All photos courtesy of JB Photo)

TENNERTON — The 2024 West Virginia Strawberry Festival tapped its royalty lineup at its pageant this past weekend.

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen’s pageant took place Saturday, March 16, inside the Buckhannon-Upshur High School Auditorium. The queen’s portion of the event concluded with judges selecting Gracie Marsh as the 2024 Queen-Elect.

WVSF Pageant Director Kristy Spencer said Marsh will remain queen-elect until the 2024 WVSF Coronation, where she will be officially crowned. Coronation typically falls on the Wednesday of Strawberry Festival week, which set for May 11-19 this year. Marsh’s entourage includes First Maid Jaeneika Westfall and Second Maid Ashlyn Donohew.

The 2024 WVSF King is Franklin Bush Jr., who reclaimed his title after serving as king in 2022.

2024 WVSF Queen-Elect Gracie Marsh with 2024 WVSF King Franklin Bush Jr. (Photo courtesy JB Photo)

In the Teen division, contestant Peyton Petrice was picked as the 2024 WVSF Teen Peyton Petrice, along with First Maid Gracia Knight and Second Maid Erica Trader.

Other titleholders include:

  • 2024 WVSF Ms. is Kelsey Hill, who will be accompanied by First Maid Peyton Konchesky and Second Maid Faith Hammerbeck.
  • 2024 WVSF Mrs. Keisha Lopez, with First Maid Haley Hillen and Second Maid Virginia Black
  • 2024 Silver Queen Rhonda Ringer

Savannah Reed and Dani Hovis will serve as the festival’s hostess princesses.

The 82nd edition of “An Exciting Family Tradition” featuring a Mardi Gras theme kicks off Saturday, May 11, with Opening Ceremonies. More information and regular updates may be found at the festival’s website, www.wvstrawberryfestival.com, or on the WVSF Facebook page.

Below are several additional photos captured by the festival’s official photographer, JB Photo:

2024 WVSF Teen Peyton Petrice was crowned the winner in the teen queen division. (Photo courtesy JB Photo)
Contestants in the 2024 WVSF Queen’s Pageant compete March 16 at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. (Photo courtesy JB Photo)
Teen Queen contestants vie for the crown in the B-UHS Auditorium this past Saturday. (Photo by JB Photo)

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Soccer Bucs blank Philip Barbour 4-0 for first win of the season

Buckhannon-Upshur earned its first win, beating Philip Barbour 4-0 as Brady Hommema scored twice, Deacon Thorne and Coby Smith added goals, and the Bucs improved to 1-3, 1-0 in Big 10 play.

Soccer Lady Bucs keep offense rolling with 8-1 win over Philip Barbour

Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs beat Philip Barbour 8-1, their second straight eight-goal game, with Rylen Carlyle and Hayley Triplett scoring twice as B-U improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in the Big 10.

Johnston runs first for Little Lady Bucs; Stump places sixth for boys in B-U Invitational

Audrey Johnston won the girls title at the Buckhannon-Upshur Invitational as the Little Lady Bucs finished second and Felix Stump paced the boys with a sixth-place finish to lift Buckhannon-Upshur to third.

President of Glenville State University to speak at Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur event September 9

Glenville State University President Dr. Mark A. Manchin will discuss the state of education at a free, public Buckhannon-Upshur Rotary Club event Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at Upshur County Public Library.

Parish House launches new team competition at Mark Petrosky Memorial Hunger Walk on September 27

Upshur Parish House hosts the 4th Mark Petrosky Memorial Hunger Walk Sept. 27, adding a new Pack the Pantry team competition to raise food and funds for its pantry and holiday meal program.

Hilda Mae McClain James

Hilda Mae McClain James, 82, of Buckhannon, died August 30, 2025, and is survived by two daughters, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, siblings, and was a charter member of Independent Rock Church.

Man arrested after officers find loaded 9mm handgun during traffic stop

A Mill Creek man was arrested after officers discovered a loaded 9mm handgun during a traffic stop. He faces charges for driving on a suspended license and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Rylen Carlyle and Alex Sappey

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Hank Ellis All-Stars for Aug. 25–31 are junior Rylen Carlyle, who scored four goals in an 8-0 soccer win, and senior Alex Sappey, who won the BU Invitational cross-country race in 17:14.8.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: September 4, 2025

The Upshur County Commission’s agenda for its September 4, 2025 meeting was posted.