Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival Kourtney Jones, shown with her entire royal court and family and friends, was crowned the 2025 Strawberry Queen inside Wesley Chapel on the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus Saturday.

BUCKHANNON — Elkins native Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2025 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen over the weekend, as the festival kicked into full gear.

Jones’ coronation took place Saturday inside Wesley Chapel on the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus Saturday evening. She was crowned by state Sen. Robbie Morris, R-Randolph County.

Originally from Elkins, Jones moved to Buckhannon to attend nursing school at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she is a member of the women’s fraternity Alpha Xi Delta.

Jones also works as an EMT for both Upshur and Randolph counties’ Emergency Medical Services. 

Jones was crowned Saturday alongside 2025 Strawberry Festival King Bryce Cogar, a freshman at Glenville State University.

The Strawberry Festival kicked off with the Opening Ceremonies at Jawbone Park Saturday, and will continue throughout the week until Sunday, May 18.

The schedule for the rest of the 2025 Strawberry Festival is as follows:

Today

All Day – Strawberry Menu

All Day – Window Displays on Main Street

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Official Strawberry Gift Shop at 25 E. Main St.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Food Court at Jawbone Park

5-10 p.m. – Local Live Entertainment Kickoff at Jawbone Park

6 p.m. – Carnival at Jawbone Park

7 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

Thursday

All Day – Strawberry Menu & Window Displays

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show at WVWC Gym

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Official Strawberry Gift Shop at 25 E. Main St.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Photo Exhibit at Colonial Arts Gallery

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Craft Show at SYCC

11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Food Court at Jawbone Park

6 p.m. – Carnival at Jawbone Park

6 p.m. – Junior Royalty Parade at 6:30 p.m. on Strawberry Lane

Post-Parade – Parade Awards at Jawbone & Party Gras on Main

8:30 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

Friday

9 a.m. – Field Competition at Ross Field

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show at WVWC Gym

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Official Strawberry Gift Shop at 25 E. Main St.

9:30 a.m. – Strawberry Capping at the Upshur Senior Center

10 a.m. – Cake Walk at the Upshur Senior Center

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Photo Exhibit at Colonial Arts Gallery

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Craft Show at SYCC

11 a.m.-12 a.m. – Food Court at Jawbone Park

12 p.m. – Carnival at Jawbone Park

2 p.m. – Concert Band Competition at WVWC PAC

2:15 p.m. – Crowning of Lord & Lady at Courthouse Plaza

2:30 p.m. – Sweetest Berry at Courthouse Plaza

4 p.m. – Strawberry & Basket Auction at Courthouse

4 p.m. – Engine & Tractor Exhibit at SYCC

5 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

6 p.m. – Firemen’s Parade at Strawberry Lane

Post-Parade – Strawberry Blonde (Adult), Best Legs (Men) and Pie Eating at Jawbone Park

Post-Parade – Party Gras on Main & Jawbone Park

Post-Parade – Drum Line Battle on Main

8:30 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

8:30 p.m. – Strawberry Idol at Jawbone Park

Saturday

All Day – Strawberry Menu & Window Displays

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Photo Exhibit at Colonial Arts Gallery

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – CEO Quilt Show at WVWC Gym

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Official Strawberry Gift Shop at 25 E. Main St.

9 a.m. – Mountaineer Strawberry 2700 Championships at White Horse

10 a.m. – Cake Walk at the Upshur Senior Center

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Engine & Tractor Show at SYCC

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Craft Show at SYCC

11 a.m.-12 a.m. – Food Court at Jawbone Park

12 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

12 p.m. – Carnival at Jawbone Park

12 p.m. – Strawberry Mile at BAES & Strawberry Lane

12:30 p.m. – Classic Car Parade at Strawberry Lane

1 p.m. – Grand Feature Parade at Strawberry Lane

Post-Parade – GFP Awards at Jawbone Park

Post-Parade – Parade After-Party at Main & Jawbone Park

4 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

4 p.m. – Irish Road Bowling at Turkey Run Road

6 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

6:30 p.m. – Strawberry Idol at Jawbone Park

6:30 p.m. – Grace Campbell at Main Street Stage

8 p.m. – Easton Corbin at Main Street Stage

Until Midnight – Entertainment & After Party

Sunday

All Day – Strawberry Menu & Window Displays

8 a.m. – Mountaineer Strawberry 2700 Championships at White Horse

12 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

12 p.m. – Strawberry Car Show at Main Street

12-3 p.m. – Live Music at Jawbone Park

1 p.m. – Irish Road Bowling at Turkey Run Road

1 p.m. – Carnival at Jawbone Park

3 p.m. – Gospel Sing at Jawbone Park

2 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

4 p.m. – Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza at SYCC

5 p.m. – Closing Ceremonies at Jawbone Park

Photo courtesy of JB Photo
2025 Strawberry Queen Kourtney Jones, left, is shown being given her sash by 2024 Queen Gracie Marsh during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen’s pageant earlier this year.