BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The 81st annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival is set to commence on May 13 and will run through May 21 in Buckhannon. The event will begin with the Opening Ceremonies and the Lighting of the Festival Flame at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Upshur County Courthouse Plaza.

The festival’s board members, community members, local officials, and festival royalty will be present at the opening. Attendees can expect to see the lighting of the Festival Flame and partake in a variety of activities throughout the week, including live entertainment, parades, a carnival and more.

Following the opening ceremonies, the Strawberry Pet Show will be held at Jawbone Park at 11 a.m. The show features a range of categories including 80’s Costume, Golden Girl or Guy for pets aged 7 or older, Most Unusual, Totally Tubular Tricks, Bodacious Betty (Queen), and Fantabulous Fella (King). The winners of the King and Queen categories will participate in the Junior Royalty parade. All proceeds from the $5 entry fee per category will be donated to a local animal rescue.

The festival’s opening day will conclude with the Coronation of the Strawberry Festival King and Queen at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley Chapel on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. The public coronation ceremony will also showcase the Minor Court and the winners of the Junior Royalty Pageant.

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival is a week-long event that features a variety of community activities and traditions. The public is invited to attend all events throughout the festival week.

Click here to see My Buckhannon’s full Strawberry Festival Schedule of Events.