A young girl at the Preston County Buckwheat Festival stands next to her mother, sharing a funnel cake. As they watch the Royalty Court’s parade float pass by, the girl turns to her mother, declaring, “I want to be one of the princesses!”
Barely a decade later, Olivia Coombs has followed through on her promise and taken on the role of this year’s second maid of honor to Queen Ceres LXXXII.
Attending events and traveling the state with the rest of the Royalty Court has been just as thrilling as Coombs imagined. The opportunity to stand on that float and wave out to a crowd of young, ambitious minds like she was all those years ago was a rewarding moment of synchronicity.
“It has definitely been a dream come true,” said Coombs. It’s been bittersweet at times, as her grandfather, one of her greatest supporters, died before the pageant. “Some days I just really miss him, but I know that he would want me to keep going and have that smile on my face.”
Although Coombs has lived in Preston County for just five years, her family has lived in the area for far longer, and ensured Coombs never missed a Buckwheat Festival. Taking part in the festival that has played a longtime role in her life as well as her family’s has been an opportunity to share a legacy.
“My grandfather was a volunteer at the fire department in Reedsville, and my grandma served buckwheat cakes and sausage,” said Coombs. “They served, and now I’m serving.”
Coombs’ annual Buckwheat Festival tradition is spent with her mother. The pair typically visits the fair early Friday morning to explore the craft barns and appreciate Preston County’s classic fair food. This year, though, Coombs looks forward to seeing the festival from a different perspective.
Regardless of her role in the festivities, Coombs, above all, appreciates the ways the Buckwheat Festival brings together people from Preston County and beyond. It’s well-known as an opportunity to catch up with former teachers, classmates, old friends, family and more.
“It’s really uniting for everybody,” said Coombs.
More than just an opportunity to mingle with familiar faces, the Buckwheat Festival encourages the formation of community connection in every corner of its operations. Coombs’ time serving on the Royalty Court has offered just that: a chance to bond with the other court members and form persevering friendships.
“[Serving on the Royalty Court] has taught me that family comes from different people,” said Coombs. “Being surrounded by everybody has brought just so much joy and we get to have these fun experiences with parades, and being able to just have conversations and laugh is the most memorable part.”
Coombs is a senior at Preston High School, where she is part of the National Honor Society.
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