Article written by Ainsley Hall and published in The Journal on August 3, 2026, link to article HERE.
Alaya Puffenburger was crowned Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair Friday evening as the fair kicks off in full force. For eight years Puffenburger has participated in the fair. She first started as a 4-H kid submitting her cooking projects and then the very next year started showing hogs. Being crowned Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair meant a lot to Puffenburger, giving her the chance to serve her community in a new way.
“I just feel like all my hard work has really come to light now,” Puffenburger said. “You know, this is my eighth year now at the Berkeley County Youth Fair. I’ve done several projects and now I get to start a new chapter. So, I’m excited.”
Puffenburger is the daughter of Christopher and Amanda Puffenburger and is entering her junior at Musselman High School. She’s a member of Valley Star 4-H Club and the Musselman FFA Chapter. After high school she plans to attend college and pursue a career in agriculture. Her passion for farming shines through as she hopes to show others what agriculture is and what it really looks like.
“It’s not just boots and buckles,” Puffenburger said. “It’s so much more than just livestock. It’s a lifestyle and it’s what millions of people worldwide devote their lives to. And I think that’s so important to reach the public and just let them know what we do isn’t just a hobby. It’s our life.”
One of her goals as Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair is to build connections. She believes having these connections is important because the fair is about community, whether that means connections with younger and older exhibitors, exhibitors and the fair board and people who visit the fair to meet new people and old friends.
“Creating these connections, strengthening them, and just making the Berkeley County Youth Fair a place that we can think of, not just as a place to go see the animals, but as a sense of community, a place we can go see our loved ones and our best friends,” Puffenburger said. “That’s what I want to do.”
Puffenburger is excited to serve as Miss Berkeley County Youth Fair. Many young people have spent hours taking care of animals and preparing for the fair and are excited to share their work with the public. Puffenburger looks forward to seeing the amazing things the kids have put together and encourages everyone to come out.