2025 West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival Queen Haley Spencer receives her crown from Mia Grace Bailey.

The spotlight shone brightly Saturday night at the Tyler Consolidated High School Auditorium as the West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival crowned its 2025 royalty during the annual Queen’s Pageant, a tradition dating back to the festival’s founding in 1968. This year marked a historic first for the long-standing event: the introduction of a Teen Division, which added a fresh layer of excitement and opportunity for younger participants.

Grace Long was crowned the inaugural Teen Division Queen, a moment met with applause as the audience celebrated the expansion of the beloved event. In the Queen’s Division, Haley Spencer earned the coveted crown and title of Miss West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival 2025. Spencer, a poised and articulate young woman, will now serve as the festival’s ambassador throughout the year, representing the state’s oil and gas heritage at parades, community events, and the festival’s marquee celebration scheduled for September 10th through the 14th in Sistersville.

Contestants in the Queen’s pageant and Teen pageant, all between the ages of 14 and 21, competed in several areas including a three-to-five-minute personal interview, outfit of choice, evening gown presentation, and an on-stage question segment.

This year’s pageant was also a night of heartfelt recognition. The Barbara Vincent Memorial Spirit Award, given in honor of longtime festival supporter Barb Vincent, was presented in both divisions. The Teen Division Spirit Award went to Lydia Cupp, while the Queen’s Division Spirit Award was awarded to KalLee Ellis. Both recipients were recognized for their kindness, camaraderie, and embodiment of the festival’s community-centered values that reflect the legacy of Barb Vincent and her many years of dedicated service to the festival.

The pageant has long been a central part of the West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival, which was established to honor the rich history and economic contributions of the petroleum and natural gas industries in the region. Since then, the event has grown into a multi-day celebration that includes a grand parade, live music, vendors, historical exhibits, food trucks, rides and more.

As the newly crowned queens begin their reign, anticipation now builds for the main festival set to take place in September. 2025 Queen Haley Spencer and her court will play leading roles in festival events, including riding in the Grand Oil & Gas Trophy Parade.

Also crowned earlier in the day were the Oil & Gas Festival’s Junior Royalty Court for 2025. Those Contestants receiving honors were Toddler Miss- Raevyn Donaldson; Tiny Miss- Peyton Myers; Little Miss- Clair Sowders and Junior Miss- Brielle Wells.

Like many cherished community traditions, the West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival relies on the generous support of its sponsors and would like to recognize the following participants. 2024 Queen Mia Grace Bailey – Teen & Queen 2nd Runner Up Scholarships; 2024 Toddler Miss Paislee Robinson- Junior Royalty Awards; Wee Miss Regattafest 2024 Amara Matthews and Sister, Aryanna Matthews- Teen 1st Runner Up Scholarship; Cody Henthorn at Momentive- Sashes for all Queens; WV Royalty Crowns- all Crowns; Marlee Sexton Allman, 2011 WVOGF Queen- Teen 1st Runner Up Scholarship; Jonathan Staddon with VizaFRAME photography- 50% off discount for Teen & Queen Crown & Sash shots; Debbie & Terry Simms; Charlie Burd- WVOGF Person of the Year 2017; Zach Smith- Teen, Queen, and Judge’s Dinner; Kathy Compton- Red Aspen & Pure Romance Consultant- Teen & Queen Gift Baskets Donations; Kathy Compton & Steve Thomas- WV Stanley & Scratch Off Fundraiser; The Flower Basket- Teen & Queen Court Floral Bouquets; Tyler Consolidated High School; Shawna Griffin; Alyssa Henry Huggins- Our Place Family Hair Care; Holiday Inn of New Martinsville; Hall’s Drilling- Queen Scholarship; Hall’s Drilling- Teen Scholarship; Hall’s Drilling- Teen & Queen Awards.

The West Virginia Oil & Gas Festival continues to be a proud reflection of Sistersville’s past, present, and future, and now with even more youth at the heart of its celebration.