Peep Festival Honors Legacy of Charley Clayton

Annual event celebrates life of Fairmont native through pageants, food, and music

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A vibrant, silkscreen-style illustration of stacked Peeps marshmallow candies in neon pink, yellow, and blue, repeated in a grid pattern to create a modern pop art effect.The annual Peep Festival in Fairmont, West Virginia celebrates the legacy of a beloved local resident through a joyful, community-driven event.Fairmont Today

The Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival is continuing its annual celebration in Fairmont, West Virginia, honoring the life and passions of the late Charley Clayton. The festival, now in its 4th year, features a queen's and children's pageant, unique food trucks, an EDM concert, and a memorial scholarship for local students pursuing entertainment, marketing, or communications.

Why it matters

The Peep Festival was created by Charley's friends and family as a way to keep her memory alive and share the joy and positivity she brought to the community. The festival highlights Charley's own idea for a 'peeps'-themed event and raises money for a scholarship to support local students in pursuing their dreams, just as Charley did.

The details

Following Charley Clayton's unexpected passing in 2022, her loved ones decided to honor her legacy by making her 'peeps' festival idea a reality. The annual event, held at Fairmont State University, features a queen's and children's pageant, a pop-up thrift store, unique food trucks, and an EDM concert, all designed to capture Charley's contagious energy and spirit.

  • The Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival is held annually.
  • The 4th annual festival took place in 2026.

The players

Charley Clayton

A Fairmont native who passed away in 2022. Charley had the idea for a 'peeps'-themed festival as part of her on-stage question while competing for the title of Miss West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals.

Corinne Garnier

Charley's best friend, who spoke about the decision to make the Peep Festival a reality as a way to honor Charley's memory and share her positivity with the community.

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What they’re saying

“So, when she passed away we kind of all got together and just wanted to make that a reality as silly as it is. It started as an inside joke, but it turned into a way for us to be able to give back to the community where charley grew up.”

— Corinne Garnier, Charley's best friend

“She was such a special person and she made such an impact on all of us that we'll be carrying with us for the rest of our lives and honestly, we just love her so much that we just want to spread that sunshine and that feeling she gave us to everybody else and she's too important to forget.”

— Corinne Garnier, Charley's best friend

What’s next

The Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival will continue to be held annually in Fairmont, West Virginia, to honor Charley's legacy and provide a scholarship to local students.

The takeaway

The Peep Festival is a heartwarming example of how a community can come together to celebrate the life of a beloved individual and ensure their passions and positive impact live on through an annual event and scholarship program.