The West Virginia Water Festival has announced its 2021 Junior King and Queen Participants. This year will be the 56th annual festival but only the fourth Junior King & Queen event. The Junior King and Queen event was created in 2017 in hopes of providing more funding for the festival.
Each year parents are invited to sign their children up to participate as Junior King and Queen participants. The boys and girls fundraise, complete community service projects, and get to know each other. This year the festival has eleven participants which is the most they’ve had.
Kendra Ratliff with the WV Water Festival said “The boy and girl who raises the most money is crowned Jr King & Queen at their coronation. One boy and one girl with the most community service points will be given a Community Spirit award by Mayor Jack Scott. The goal is to involve these children in the community at a young age in the hopes they will grow up and become volunteers and maybe even volunteer to help with the festival.”
The following statements were submitted by the Water Festival about each participant. Take a moment to learn a little about the participants.
“Kainan Harmon- Kainan is a very loving and sweet little boy who loves to play outside with his big brother Colton, and ride four wheelers, bikes, and scooters. His parents are Amber Bennett and Sehn Harmon and he is the stepson of Brett Bennett. His grandparents are Rob and Amy Richmond and Daniel and Bernice Harmon. His great grandmother is Shirley Richmond, and his favorite aunt is Danielle Harmon.”
“Colton Harmon- Colton is a very energetic, outgoing boy. He loves to play outside and ride his 4-wheeler, bike, and scooter. He is the son of Amber Bennett & Sehn Harmon and the stepson of Brett Bennett. His grandparents are Rob and Amy Richmond and Daniel and Bernice Harmon. His grandmother is Shirley Richmond, and his favorite aunt is Danielle Harmon.”
“Kolbe Meadows- Kolbe is the son of Donald and Pamela Meadows. He is a spunky, fun loving 5-year-old who loves tee-ball, Minecraft and fishing. He also loves animals, especially chickens. Kolbe attends Nimitz Missionary Baptist Church and Jumping Branch Elementary. He is the youngest in his family and has a brother named Eli and a sister named Avah.”
“Jase Begil- Jase is the son of Justin and Natalie Begil. He loves watching TV, playing video games and jumping on the trampoline. Jase loves spending time with his family, especially his cousins. He has two older siblings, Emilee and JJ.”
“Ryleigh Farrish- Ryleigh is the daughter of Philip and Trisha Farrish of Nimitz, WV. She is very ambitious and has a strong determination to succeed. Ryleigh is the youngest of three children. She has two older sisters she looks up to. Ryleigh also has several hobbies she enjoys such as hunting, fishing, camping, basketball, riding her bike, and jumping on her trampoline. She is also a Christian and a member of Stanaford Missionary Baptist Church, where she has attended her entire life.”
“Bailey Elizabeth Copenhaver- Bailey has a contagious smile that will light up any room. She is very outgoing and confident. Bailey has two older brothers, one older sister and a niece. She enjoys spending time on the farm and riding her horse, Cory, and playing in the creek catching crawfish. She also enjoys riding her hoverboard and playing Minecraft. Bailey is the daughter of Elizabeth and Travis Copenhaver.”
“Avah Jackson- Avah loves being outside and she’s not afraid to get dirty. She loves hiking, swimming, riding side by sides and 4 wheelers, camping and going ‘muggin’ hunting. She has a dog named Rozy and a cat Sadie. She just finished kindergarten at HAE, is a cheerleader for SCYFL and plays tee-ball for Angell’s Cardinals. Avah has a twin brother Aiden that’s watching over her in heaven and a baby brother Xander that is almost two. Avah is the daughter of Brooke Jackson and Timothy Kitchen. She is the granddaughter of Matt and Jamie Lee Stalnaker, Bruce Jackson, and Scott & Margaret Dirnbauer.”
“Sarah Bishop- Sarah is the daughter of Ben and Sherry Bishop. She loves horses and is a cute mixture of country and girly girl. Sarah loves to spend time with her grandparents, Carol and Henry Bishop. She also loves to play with her two brothers, Daniel and Jacob and her sister Stacy.”
“Chessi Dillon- Chessi of Beaver, WV is 4 years old. Chessi is the granddaughter of Gary and Mary Ann Dillon of Beckley and Robert and Billie Meador of Beaver. She loves the outdoors and water activities of any kind. Chessi is the daughter of Jason Dillon and Savannah Yancey of Beckley.”
“Annabelluh Yates- Annabelluh is the daughter of Karlee Furrow. She is a smart, funny, energetic little girl who loves her dog Moose and spending time with family. Her interest includes Barbies, pageants, and animals. Her favorite color is pink. Her hobbies include playing outside, going to the zoo and playing with her toys.”
“Hadley Dunn- Hadley is the daughter of Austin and Savannah Dunn. She enjoys reading, art and math and she loves playing with her little brother, Easton, and her chocolate Lab Finn. Hadley has big dreams of becoming a vet when she grows up.”
The WV Water Festival Junior Coronation will be on July 24th.
