Join the
WV State Honey Festival Pageants
The WV State Honey Festival Pageants are a cherished tradition that showcase contestants of different ages in a celebration of beauty, personality, and community pride. Queens and royalty represent the WV State Honey Festival throughout the year at parades, festivals, and special events, helping to promote the importance of honey, beekeeping, and agriculture across West Virginia. The pageants offer an opportunity for participants to shine while carrying on a sweet tradition that honors our state’s heritage.
Discover the Heart of the WV State Honey Festival Pageant
The WV State Honey Festival began to celebrate the importance of honey, beekeeping, and pollinators in West Virginia. Not long after, the festival introduced the Honey Princess Pageant, giving young girls a chance to represent the festival and share in its sweet traditions. By the early 2000s, the event had expanded to include multiple divisions, with contestants serving as junior ambassadors—appearing in parades, attending community festivals, and promoting the importance of honey and agriculture throughout the state. The children’s pageant started in 2022 and is the opening event for the Honey Festival itself.
From its beginnings with a single princess title to today’s full court of queens, princesses, and tots, the pageant continues to play an important role in the Honey Festival. Each winner becomes a visible representative of the event and its mission—carrying on over 40 years of tradition while educating the public about honey, pollinators, and West Virginia’s agricultural heritage.
Beyond tradition, the pageant also provides lasting benefits for our youth. Contestants gain valuable public speaking skills, confidence on stage, and experience in interview settings that prepare them for future opportunities. By serving as junior ambassadors, participants learn the value of community involvement, volunteerism, and leadership, all while making memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
Explore Our Pageant Titles
WVSHF Pageant
Honey Festival LITTLE MISS – Ages 5-8
Honey Festival PRINCESS – Ages 9-12
Honey Festival TEEN – Ages 13-15
Honey Festival QUEEN – Ages 16-21
Honey Festival MS/MRS – Ages 22+
WVSHF Children's Pageant
Honey Festival INFANT MISS/MR
Honey Festival BABY MISS/MR
Honey Festival TOT MISS/MR
Honey Festival TINY MISS/MR
Voices of Our Queens
Carleigh Jo Cochran 2025 WVSHF Queen
My favorite part of the West Virginia State Honest Festival was being able to experience such a unique, fun, and educational environment. The Honey Festival should be a “go to festival” on everyone’s list so they can learn to appreciate the Honey Industry as much as I have!
Hannah Herndon 2025 WVSHF Little Miss
My favorite thing about the honey festival was all the snacks! I ate kettle corn, ice cream, and honey sticks! Oh, and I liked shopping for new toys at the different vendors!
Morgan Smith 2025 WVSHF Princess
My favorite part of the festival was judging the children’s pageant – it was so much fun to crown the new baby princesses and princes!
Pranaya Singh 2025 WVSHF Teen Queen
I have two favorite parts! My first favorite was the antique car show, it was so much fun judging the cars and deciding on a winner. There was a little bit of anticipation wondering who Hannah & Morgan picked! My second favorite was judging the Children’s Pageant, all of the kids were so cute & had so much personality! It was so much fun giving out the squishmellows! I was so honored to be able to do that and it was truly such an experience to crown baby princesses & princes. It was such an amazing experience overall! Everyone should go to this festival, all the vendors were so sweet, this was such a buzz-tastic event!
Our Pageant Memories
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Support Our Future Queens
Your generous contribution helps us provide exciting opportunities for young participants at the WV State Honey Festival Pageant. Click below to make a difference in their journey and support the future leaders of our community.