Weese Crowned Barbour County Fair Queen

Miss Barbour County Fair Queen Lindsey Weese, 2023 Miss Barbour County Fair Queen Taylor Skidmore, Runner-up Miss Barbour County Fair Queen, Front row Patrick Bryan Fancher, Maya Wolfe, Owen Luke Short, and Haylynn Grace Graham

Lindsey Weese, the 16-year-old daughter of Christy and Matt Weese of the Mount Liberty Road, was crowned the 2024 Miss Barbour County Fair Queen.

She was crowned by a long-term friend of the fair, Rick Modesitt owner of RMA. RMA Presents remains a West Virginia based business, working across 17 states for the past 17 years. “I started in the entertainment business like many of you, as a volunteer entertainment chairman for a local festival. I felt the fees being charged by many of the agencies were outrageous. Seeing the need for a hard-working and honest supplier, that could offer quality service with discount prices, I began RMA and have enjoyed working for our fair and festival clients.”

Mr. Modesitt is a former police officer, Chief of Police, Member of the State Legislature and former County Commissioner for Wood County, WV. He was a consultant on the design of the John Loyd Entertainment Center and has sponsored the Barbour County Fair Queen’s Crown for the last several years. In 2023, Rick was presented the Barbour County Fair Association’s Friends of the Fair Award.

The 5'8”, blue eyed, blonde is a junior at Philip Barbour High School. She is presently on Principal's honor roll, with a GPA of 4.125. She is the President of the class of 2026 and a student council representative.

In addition to her student involvement, she is a twirler for the "Pride of Barbour County" band and a member of the tennis team.

Her community involvement includes working at the Laurel Mountain Inn, and volunteering at BMS for activities such as field day and the walk-a-thon.

Upon graduation her plans are to attend a four-year college to become a nurse.

Her sponsors are Talbott Funeral Home, Belington Clinic, Maces Pharmacy, Nolan Trends, and family and friends.

The first runner-up was Alanna Howdershelt, a 17-year-old daughter of Bradley and Desiree Howdershelt of Valley Furnace. Standing at 5'2", she has blonde hair and blue eyes. She describes herself as compassionate, dependable, and inquisitive.

Alanna attends New Life Family Worship Center, where she is a member of the praise team and a sound technician. She also frequently leads worship for their children's church program, Ignite Kids. Alanna serves as the youth representative for the Barbour County Bright Futures Coalition, as well.

This homeschooled senior plans to spend her final year taking dual credit courses at Hillsdale College to prepare herself for a career in Aviation. When she is not working on assignments, Alanna functions as a student teacher for the younger children at New Life Homeschool Co-op. She plans to attend college to pursue her dream of becoming an airline pilot in order to travel the world and experience all that it has to offer.

Sponsors for Alanna are Freeman's Bakery, Zoecon Construction Incorporated, Margarita's Mexican Grill, Revolution Financial Management, Dew Drop Farm, and Renee and Melvin Howdershelt.

The minor court participants were Patrick Fencher, Maya Wolfe, Owen Short, and Haylynn Graham.

Patrick Bryan Fancher is the son of Ben and Kelley Fancher of Philippi, WV. He is five years old and plans to attend Philippi Elementary in the fall. Patrick has one brother, Flynn. His favorite things include dinosaurs, insects, superheroes, and Godzilla. Partrick enjoys going swimming, fishing, calling turkeys and taking care of the animals on the farm with his mom and dad. Besides his outside adventures, he likes to build and design contraptions, be read to about snakes.

Maya Wolfe the daughter of BJ and Nicole Wolfe. She is the granddaughter of Mary and Robert Wolfe and John and Lisa Tusing. She has two older brothers that she adores and she’s excited to finally become a big sister. She has a cat named Peaches and a dog named Snoop. She will be in kindergarten at Feed my Sheep Christian school. Maya enjoys playing soccer, baseball, softball and basketball. Maya loves the farm life and loves her favorite pet cows Mia and Anna. She also enjoys working with her show pigs and looks forward to showing them at the fair. When she grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian.

Owen Luke Short is the five year old son of Jewel and Rachel Short of Tacy. He is the grandson of Stephen Kennedy of Philippi, Dawn Sfameni-Kennedy of Philippi, Herb Short of Flatwoods, and Cindi Campbell of Belington. Owen has one sibling, an older brother named Jace. He attends Kasson Elementary where he is in Kindergarten. He attends church with his family at Tacy Crossroads United Methodist Church. Owen enjoys riding his bike, playing football, basketball, and baseball, going camping and going to the pool. His favorite food is pizza. When Owen grows up, he wants to be a professional bull rider.

Haylynn Grace Graham is the five year old daughter of Jayden Graham and Haven Bailey, and big sister to brother Myles. Her grandparents are Denny and Tara Graham, and her great-grand parents are Bruce and Willa Jo Mitchell. Haylynn will attend Kindergarten at Kasson Elementary in the fall. She enjoys swimming, riding her bicycle, singing, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite color is pink, and her favorite foods are pancakes and corn dogs. She wants to be a police officer or fire fighter when she grows up.