POINT PLEASANT — Mason County is definitely the place to be if you’re looking for events, festivals, the state’s largest county fair and, of course, beauty queens.

This weekend, seven titleholders from Mason County will compete in the annual West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Pageant at the Municipal Auditorium in Charleston. This pageant is held in conjunction with the association’s convention held at the Charleston Civic Center.

Over the course of two days, these young women will represent the area and compete in three phases of competition including: private interview, event promotion, evening gown competition. The Top 15 finalists will also compete in on-stage question.

The seven representatives from the county are competing in a field of 86 contestants from all over the state of West Virginia who also hold titles that represent their area festival, fair or event. And according to Jean Smith, state pageant director, this number is a record high for the pageant.

For some, this will be a return trip to Charleston for the pageant.

Sahana Birchfield, Soni Huffman, Hannah Perry and Payton Whitt have all previously held other titles which have enabled them to become qualified to compete in Charleston.

Kiona Norvell, Summer Searls and Hannah Workman are competing for the first time in the state pageant.

Birchfield, 21, is the daughter of Tom and Karen Birchfield of Gallipolis Ferry. She is the Miss West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition Queen. Birchfield said she is looking forward to making the most of her last year at the state pageant and said that she has busily prepared for all phases of competition. She also is anticipating the weekend of fun in Charleston with all of the other contestants.

Huffman, 21, is the daughter of Mark and Jenny Huffman of Letart. She is the Miss South Charleston Summerfest Queen. This is her third year competing at Fairs and Festivals and she has placed in the Top 15 in the past two years. Huffman said she has prepared for the pageant by creating a unique promotional speech about her festival and working on her interview skills. She is planning on making her last year at the pageant a memorable experience.

Perry, 17, is the daughter of J.L. and Kathy Perry of Point Pleasant. She is the Miss Parkersburg Homecoming Queen. Perry said that after competing in pageants for four years, she has learned that the preparation process is usually the same. However, Perry said she always strives to be herself and rely on God for the outcome in everything she endeavors. This, she said, somehow gets her ready for anything. She would like to wish all of the other girls in Mason County “good luck.”

Norvell, 17, is the daughter of Steven and Charlotte Norvell of Leon. She is the Miss Point Pleasant Battle Days Queen. Norvell said she is very excited about competing and representing Battle Days during her first year. She said she has exercised to stay in shape and worked on her promotional speech with her director and mom. Norvell plans to make the most of her first year at the pageant, but also looks forward to continue to promote her title in the community during the remainder of her reign.

Searls, 21, is the daughter of Randy and Lisa Searls of Gallipolis Ferry. She is the Miss Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta Queen. Searls said she is really looking forward to representing the community and is excited to have the opportunity of this experience. She also is ready to have fun and meet new people. Searls has prepared for the pageant by practicing her promotional speech and watching videos of last year’s event. She said she is just going to be herself during the pageant, because that is the best she can be.

Whitt, 17, is the daughter of Mark and Julia Whitt of Point Pleasant. She is the Miss Oak Leaf Festival Queen. This marks Whitt’s second time at the state pageant and she is looking forward to catching up with old friends, as well as meeting new people. She also plans to have loads of fun. Whitt has been brushing up on her interview skills in preparation for the event and working with her director.

Workman, 18, is the daughter of Doug and Vickie Workman. She is the Miss Mason County Fair Queen. This will be the first pageant trip to Charleston for Workman and she is anticipating making memories, new friends, and representing her wonderful county to the best of her ability. Workman has worked with her directors to prepare for this upcoming weekend. She said it is going to be an honor to spend a weekend representing the county and the Mason County Fair and that she is going to do her best to make everyone proud.

The reigning Miss West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen is Jillian Wedge. She is 21-years old and resides in Evans. Wedge made an appearance in Mason County during her travels as the state fairs and festivals queens at the Mason County Fair this past summer. She provided entertainment during the fair queen pageant.

This year’s winner will receive a prize package, travel around the state attending other fairs, festivals and events, as well as pageants, and will reign over the state fair. This year, the West Virginia State Fair will be held Aug. 13-21 in Lewisburg.