Submitted photo West Virginia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, left, crowns Kourtney Jones, right, as the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals Queen.

BUCKHANNON — Elkins native and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones has been crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen.

On Jan. 10, Jones was selected for the honor. In May 2025, Jones was crowned the 2025 West Virginia Strawberry Festival Queen.

As part of her new position, Jones will represent the WVAFF across the state, “promoting West Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage and the importance of local fairs and festivals.”

During the WVAFF’s annual convention in Charleston, Jones did a promotional message about the Strawberry Festival, according to a press release from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She also participated in interviews with judges, during which she shared the impact the Strawberry Festival has on Upshur County.

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

The WVAFF supports and promotes fairs and festivals throughout the state, “recognizing their role in preserving history, fostering tourism and enhancing community pride.” As WVAFF Queen, Jones will be attending fairs, festivals and public events across the state throughout the year and she will also reign over the 101st West Virginia State Fair this August.

Originally from Elkins, Jones moved to Buckhannon to attend nursing school at Wesleyan College, where she is a member of the women’s fraternity Alpha Xi Delta. Jones also works as an EMT for Upshur and Randolph counties’ Emergency Medical Services. She is a member of Wesleyan College’s Class of 2028.

“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.”