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)

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