Five young women and girls from Brevard County were crowned at the Space Coast Strawberry Festival pageants on March 9, 2026. The event, held in Viera, awarded crowns and sashes to participants across different age divisions. Melissa Pope, 20, was named Elite Miss Strawberry Fest 2026. Pope, who previously won Elite Miss Key Lime Pie Fest 2026, is a blood donor and advocate for lifesaving causes. Abby Hinzman, 24, took home the title of Ms. Strawberry Fest 2026. Hinzman is an engineer and runs a business that donates pet bandanas to rescue organizations. Marley Hayre, 13, was crowned Teen Miss Strawberry Fest. Hayre, who also won Teen Miss Key Lime Pie Fest 2026, uses her platform to encourage others to overcome stage fright and honor her late father. Eden Green, 11, was named Miss Strawberry Fest 2026. Green participates in community activities and is a regular at local events. The pageant concluded the weeklong festival, which included strawberry tastings, live music, and family-friendly games. Organizers said the event drew over 10,000 visitors to Viera this year. The winners will represent the festival at upcoming community events in the Space Coast region. The Strawberry Festival has been a staple of Brevard County’s calendar since 1964, drawing thousands annually. This year’s edition coincided with the start of spring break, leading to record attendance at some events. The pageant winners will participate in charity work and local outreach programs throughout the year.