The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival was first held in 1931 in Bell County. In 1933 the festival was moved to Pine Mountain State Park where it has been held annually except for World War II years 1942 to 1947. Queen candidates are chosen from Kentucky colleges and universities. WKU has sent a representative to most of the festivals and some of our candidates have brought home the Mountain Laurel crown:
1934 Mary Walton
1937 Marjorie Galloway, Bowling Green Business University student
1953 Sue Lynch
1957 JoAnn Faulkner
1959 Alice Chumbley
1960 Lana Jones, Bowling Green Business University student
1978 Mona Wortham
1984 Melodye Hughes
2002 Lisa Chestnut
2015 Lindsay Tate Ratliff