08/02/2026
A Heartfelt Thank You to Everyone Who Made the 2026 WV State Water Festival a Success! 💙🌊
What an incredible week! The 2026 WV State Water Festival was only possible because of the amazing volunteers, sponsors, businesses, organizations, public safety agencies, and community members who came together to make it a success. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who gave their time, talents, and support.
A special thank you to Peyton Matheney for coordinating the Pretty Baby Contest, along with Tammy Harvey, Pam Hartwell, Jessica Harbert-Meadows, Heidi Richmond, Rhonda Taylor, and Halee Robinson for volunteering throughout the day.
Thank you to the Queen Mermaid Court Committee—Heidi Richmond, Pam Hartwell, Jessica Harbert-Meadows, and Peyton Matheney—for months of planning, fundraising, decorating, and organizing an unforgettable Queen Mermaid & Court.
Thank you to Peyton Matheney and Megan Turner for organizing Rally on the River, with the day of help from Jessica Harbert-Meadows, Ronnie Harbert, Vickie Brown, Felisha Hartwell, and Rhonda Berry.
A huge thank you to Savanna Kesner, Hope Jones, Grace, Emily, Keela, Anna Grace, McKenzie, and everyone who volunteered with the Bounce Houses, as well as Vickie Brown, Felisha Hartwell, and Rhonda Berry for a wonderful Cake Walk.
Thank you to Janima Bond, Amy O’Brien, Megan Turner, Jessica Harbert-Meadows, Ronnie Meadows, and Peyton Matheney for volunteering to make the Street Dance a success, and to Johnathon Lipscomb for providing an incredible night of music.
A special thank you to Ronnie Harbert and Jessica Harbert-Meadows for organizing our first-ever Kayak Race, and to all of the volunteers who helped throughout the day.
Thank you to Matt Mullins for four fantastic days of entertainment, the City of Hinton Public Works Department for their tireless work behind the scenes and building the Queen Mermaid Court float, and to Megan Turner, whose leadership, dedication, and willingness to jump in wherever needed helped make this year’s festival possible.
Thank you to Ray Pivont for organizing both the Fireman’s Parade and Grand Parade, Savanna Kesner and Rhonda Berry for handling parade registrations, Hunter Wyant for operating the trackless train, Eddie Fernatt for another outstanding Car Show, and the Summers County Public Library for hosting a wonderful Art Show.
A heartfelt thank you to the Summers County Sheriff’s Department, Summers County 911 Center, Station 13, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, EMS, and all first responders for keeping our festival safe from beginning to end.
Finally, thank you to every sponsor, volunteer, business, organization, and community member who donated, attended, or supported the festival in any way. It takes an entire community to make the WV State Water Festival what it is, and because of each of you, the 2026 WV State Water Festival was one to remember.
Thank you all for helping create another unforgettable year. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again next summer! 💙🌊🎉
