To help fund next summer's Benedum Festival pageants and to support reigning Queen Morgan Smith as she prepares to compete in the October Miss West Virginia USA pageant,  festival royalty is holding a fundraising event. 

 

What better idea, Director Kristin Wilson decided, than to host a pageant - one that offers unique opportunities and features a true West Virginia flair. 

 

In gold and blue spirit, the Miss West Virginia Mountain State Pageant will be held Sept. 27 at West Fairmont Middle School. 

 

"Miss West Virginia Mountain State is in its first year and is an official preliminary to the Miss West Virginia United States pageant," said  Wilson, who went on to explain how the idea came about. "In 2014, I represented the system and our state as Ms West Virginia United States and went on to compete at the national Miss United States pageant in Washington DC. The pageant system opened many doors for me and will always hold a special place in my heart."

 

Along with Wilson and pageant co-director, Cody-Kristofer Layton, the Brenedum Festival queens will be hosting Miss West Virginia Mountain State. 

 

Winners will be crowned and will also receive crown pins, title sashes, trophies and seed money to enter subsequent pageants for which they will be qualified. 

 

One unique aspect of the pageant is that there are categories for aspiring queens up through 39 years of age. The children's division will accommodate little girls up through 7 years old and the queen's division welcomes those between the ages of 8 through 39. 

 

Attire for both pageants is WVU-themed dresses or outfit. Those participating in the queen's pageant will also wear evening gowns. As each contestant is introduced, her age, pageant number and a unique fact about the Mountain State will be shared. 

 

In addition to judges' picks, awards will be presented for Miss Photogenic, Miss Fan Favorite and Miss WV Fan Fanatic, the latter award based upon contestants' contributions to a WV Fan Fanatic basket. 

 

The contestant bringing in the most West Virginia-themed items will be crowned on stage and receive a trophy and West Virginia queen pin. Those items will be compiled and placed in a basket which will be auctioned off following the pageant. 

 

The fan favorite will be determined by spectator votes. A table will be set up where individuals can cast votes for $1 each. Wilson said participation in Fan Favorite does not impact any other phase of the competition. 

 

Miss Photogenic will be determined by judges and based upon black and white photos submitted by contestants. Each contestant can submit only one photo. 

 

Deadline to enter the pageant is Sept. 19, but those registered by Aug. 22 will receive a $10 early bird discount. 

 

Wilson thinks the pageant will be a win win situation. Money will be raised for next year's Benedum Festival Pageant and local girls will get a nice opportunity. 

 

"I think the pageant will be popular and attract girls to compete because it is a local preliminary to the state Miss West Virginia United States pageant as well as West Virginia themed," she said. "I believe the contestants will be excited about the pageant because they are given the opportunity to represent our state by showing their Mountaineer pride as the pageant theme is 'West Virginia.'" 

 

To request an entry form, see any of the following members of Benedum Festival royalty or email benedum.pageant@gmail.com. Applications received through Benedum Festival royalty will indicate a pageant referral through that reigning Benedum Festival queen. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured are Bridgeport Benedum Festival Baby Queen Chloe McDonald, Little Queen Blaike Hepner, Miss Queen Jalyn Smith, Miss Pre-Teen Gracie Marsh, Miss Teen Queen Audra Knotts, Queen Morgan Smith and Pageant Director Kristin Wilson.