The 2026 Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was held May 21st at the Bear Paw Lodge at Canaan Valley State Park. This year’s deserving Tuckineer was announced as Tucker County’s own Magistrate Judge Brian Wilfong. Wilfong received his award along with fellow 2026 award recipients: Educator of the Year: Mr. James Ambrose; Student of the Year: Makenna Evans; Athlete of the Year: Reid Kisamore; Employee of the Year: Barbara Worden; Public Employee of the Year, Jessica Streets; Business Person of the Year: Julie Bland; Business of the Year: Great Improvements; Community Service Award: Kenneth Poling; Cultural Heritage and Arts: Mary “Charlie” Waters; Outdoor Recreation: Bobby Snyder; Special Award: Tucker County High School Cheerleaders. Sponsors for this year’s awards included: Mountain Hospice, Sirianni’s Café, Great Improvements, Inn at Canaan. Tucker Community Foundation, Best of Canaan, Canaan Collection, Canaan Valley Resort, ArtSpring, Snowsports Museum of WV, St. George Medical Clinic and Citizens Bank of West Virginia. Photos courtesy of the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce and David Cooper.
