Kourtney Jones, a nursing student at West Virginia Wesleyan College and the 2025 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen, has been crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen.
Jones received the crown Jan. 10 at the association’s annual convention in Charleston. As the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals, she will represent the WVAFF across West Virginia throughout 2026, promoting the state’s agricultural heritage and the importance of local fairs and festivals. She will also reign over the 101st West Virginia State Fair from Aug. 13-22.
“It is truly an honor to have been crowned the association queen,” Jones said in a press release from WVWC. “This is a huge industry in our state, and bringing this representation back to Buckhannon and the Strawberry Festival means so much. This is something I’ve worked toward for so long and has so much meaning to my family. I am so excited to represent our state and promote what our association is all about.”
A native of Elkins who now resides in Buckhannon, Jones served as the 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen and participated in the eight-day festival while also attending events across the region to promote the WVSF. During the WVAFF convention, she gave a presentation about the festival and participated in interviews with judges, sharing the impact the Strawberry Festival has on the area.
Jones is preparing for a career in nursing at WVWC, where she said the smaller college environment has supported her pursuits both in and out of the classroom. She is also a nationally registered EMT serving three West Virginia counties.
“Being a student at Wesleyan has truly helped so much, even in pageants,” Jones said. “Attending a smaller college has connected me closely with our amazing faculty, who have supported me at every step — not just with this huge accomplishment. Having a faculty that supports big accomplishments outside of our college says a lot about how welcoming and amazing Wesleyan is.”
The West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals supports and promotes fairs and festivals throughout the state, recognizing their role in preserving history, fostering tourism and enhancing community pride.
