Contestants for the 2026 Urbanna Oyster Festival Queen competition include, back, from left, Olivia Hoffield, Sarah Laster, Elizabeth Justis and Mia Slider. Each Queen contestant is paired with a Little Miss Spat co-contestant, front, from left, Ava Wade, Paisley Duke, Callie Langford and Magnolia Williams. A “spat” is a baby oyster. (Photo by Christy Hogge)
Each hopeful has a Little Miss Spat co-contestant
The 2026 Urbanna Oyster Festival Queen and Little Miss Spat contestants have been busy working on their community service projects. Each Queen contestant must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours benefiting Middlesex County.
The 69th Urbanna Oyster Festival is set for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival Queen crowning ceremony is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department station (the Urbanna firehouse) at 335 Virginia St.
For information, call the Urbanna Oyster Festival office at 804-758-2122 or Queen Contest Coordinator Christy Hogge at 804-832-0036.
As the festival has evolved over the years, so has the selection of the Queen and Little Miss Spat. What was once a beauty pageant is now a scholarship-based competition for the Queens. The Queen contestants must be high school seniors and residents of Middlesex County. Each Queen contestant mentors a Middlesex Elementary School first grade contestant as her Little Miss Spat.
The Queen and Little Miss Spat competition starts in the spring and extends until the crowning at the Oyster Festival on Nov. 6.
This year there are four Queen contestants, each of whom has one Little Miss Spat co-contestant. (A spat is a baby oyster.)
The 2026 Queen contestants and their Little Miss Spat co-contestants include, in alphabetical order:
Olivia Hoffield and Ava Wade.
Elizabeth Justis and Callie Langford.
Sarah Laster and Paisley Duke.
Mia Slider and Magnolia Williams.
As the festival approaches, the four Queen contestants and their Little Miss Spat co-contestants have been demonstrating that community service is at the heart of the festival experience.
This year’s contestants have chosen meaningful causes that address needs throughout Middlesex County, from helping families in financial hardship and supporting youth athletics to caring for animals and promoting infant safety.
Olivia Hoffield and Ava Wade
Queen hopeful Olivia Hoffield and her Little Miss Spat hopeful, Ava Wade, are working on Leveling the Playing Field, a project focused on helping young athletes overcome financial barriers to participating in sports. Their goal is to provide children with the equipment and opportunities they need to experience the confidence, teamwork and life lessons that come from being part of a team.
Olivia, a Water View resident, is the daughter of Jennifer Nickl and the late James Hoffield, granddaughter of the late John Nickl and Barbra Allen, and granddaughter of the late William Carey and Valerie Shook. Olivia’s Little Miss Spat co-contestant Ava, an Urbanna resident, is the daughter of Melissa and Ray Wade Jr., granddaughter of Larry and Jody Collier, granddaughter of Ray Wade Sr. and Terry Wade, and granddaughter of Judy and Michael Erskine.
Elizabeth Justis and Callie Langford
Queen hopeful Elizabeth Justis and her Little Miss Spat hopeful, Callie Langford, have chosen Claws and Effects, a project centered around helping animals in need. The pair is working to raise awareness and support for animals throughout Middlesex County. Proceeds from their efforts will help support local animal welfare efforts, including the Middlesex animal shelter and Sharon’s Critters Action Team (SCAT), which assists domestic and wild animals in finding safe and appropriate homes.
Elizabeth, a Hardyville resident, is the daughter of Thomas Justis and Misty Justis and granddaughter of Carol Justis, Kathy Mitchell, David Mitchell, and the late Robert Justis. Elizabeth’s Little Miss Spat co-contestant Callie, a Water View resident, is the daughter of Amanda Weston, Adam Weston and the late Bryan Langford. She is the granddaughter of Nora Robbins, Sarah Barrick, and Greg and Cara Luffey.
Sarah Laster and Paisley Duke
Queen hopeful Sarah Laster and her Little Miss Spat hopeful, Paisley Duke, are supporting Helping Hands, a program through the Middlesex Department of Social Services that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals and families facing financial hardship. Sarah has also partnered with the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association to educate children about the Chesapeake Bay, the importance of oysters and protecting natural resources. Her GotSneakers fundraiser collects gently used shoes to raise funds while reducing landfill waste.
Sarah, a Wake resident, is the daughter of Conley Clark Laster IV and Erin Lynne Laster, granddaughter of Dr. Sara Nair James and Conley Clark Laster III, Jack Tanner, and Anita Bourgeois. Sarah’s Little Miss Spat co-contestant Paisley, a Saluda resident, is the daughter of Matt and Brittany Duke, granddaughter of Donnie and Mary Daniel, and the granddaughter of Jerry and Jeannie Duke.
Mia Slider and Magnolia Williams
Queen hopeful Mia Slider and her Little Miss Spat hopeful, Magnolia Williams, are promoting infant safety through Snooze and Cruise: Little Dreams, Cozy Rides, in partnership with the Middlesex County Department of Social Services. Their project focuses on educating families about safe sleep practices and proper car seat safety while raising funds to help provide essential items such as cribs and car seats to families in need.
While each project is unique, the contestants share a common purpose: to serve their community and make a lasting impact.
Mia, a Saluda resident, is the daughter of Benjamin and Michelle Slider IV, granddaughter of Michael and Sharon Bryson, granddaughter of Benjamin III and Mary Slider, Bob and Jean Macky, and Joe and Sheila Barber.
Mia’s Little Miss Spat co-contestant, Magnolia, a Hardyville resident, is the daughter of Joey and Ciara Williams, granddaughter of Gregory and Cassandra Garza, and granddaughter of Joseph and Mary Williams.
The Queen contestants and their Little Miss Spat co-contestants are also discovering that the Urbanna Oyster Festival experience is about more than competition. Through their service projects, they are building friendships, learning the importance of giving back and growing a lifelong relationship with one another.
“Their efforts reflect the true spirit of community, young leaders working together to make Middlesex County a better place for everyone,” said Queen Contest Coordinator Christy Hogge.
(For more on the 69th Urbanna Oyster Festival, be sure to check out the Southside Sentinel’s special festival preview section, which will appear in the Nov. 5 print edition. For advertising opportunities in the section, call Sentinel Advertising Representative Gloria Abbott at 804-758-2328, ext. 103, or email her at Gloria@SSentinel.com.)