BUCKHANNON, West Virginia  – Passionate about serving the community through emergency medicine and promoting West Virginia, Kourtney Jones ‘28, a nursing student at West Virginia Wesleyan College, is the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals (WVAFF) Queen. 

As the 2025 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen, Jones participated in the eight-day festival in Buckhannon, but also attended other events promoting the WVSF, making her selection as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals a meaningful continuation of her service. Now, she will represent the WVAFF across the Mountain State, promoting West Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage and the importance of local fairs and festivals.

During the annual convention, which culminated in Jones receiving the crown on Jan. 10 in Charleston, Jones gave a promo about the festival and participated in interviews with the judges, during which she shared the impact the Strawberry Festival has on the area. 

“It is truly an honor to have been crowned the association queen,” Jones said. “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 towards 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.”

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. As Queen, Jones will attend fairs, festivals, and public events across the state throughout 2026. She will also reign over the 101st West Virginia State Fair Aug. 13-22. 

A native of Elkins, West Virginia, now residing in Buckhannon, Jones has held several titles en route to becoming the WVFFA Queen. Her passion for service aligns closely with her academic path as a nursing student at WVWC, where she is preparing for a career centered on compassion, advocacy, and community well-being. She is also a nationally registered EMT and serves three West Virginia counties. 

Jones added, “Being a student at Wesleyan has truly helped so much, even in pageants. 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.”

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.