Appalachian Festival Queen
The Crowning of the 2026 Appalachian Festival Queen
On July 27, 2026, the Appalachian Festival crowned its 2026 Queen. Haley Jo Hunt, who has carried the title through the past year, placed the crown on her successor, Paige Ratliff. Below are portraits of both queens, along with a group photo taken with the Southern West Virginia Queens who joined them for the coronation.
Haley Jo Hunt — 2025 Appalachian Festival Queen
Haley Jo Hunt served as the 2025 Appalachian Festival Queen, representing the festival and the region throughout her reign. On July 27, 2026 she crowned her successor, closing out her year with the coronation ceremony.
Paige Ratliff — 2026 Appalachian Festival Queen
Paige Ratliff is proud to call the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia home. She has a passion for helping others and giving back to her community. A graduate phlebotomist with CPR and First Aid certification, Paige plans to continue her education by pursuing a career in nursing.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, volunteering, and making lasting memories with her family and friends. Paige embodies the Appalachian values of hard work, kindness, faith and community, and strives to be a positive role model wherever she goes. She is honored to serve as the 2026 Appalachian Festival Queen and looks forward to representing the festival and the region with pride.
