The Space Coast Key Lime Pie Festival Elite Miss Pageant took place on Saturday, February 28, in Viera, where Melissa Pope was crowned Elite Miss Key Lime Pie Fest 2026. The event returned on Sunday, March 1, with Petra Branham, the 2025 champion, winning the Ms. Key Lime Pie Fest title for a second consecutive year. Marley Hayre was named Teen Miss, and Sylvia Austin received the Miss Congeniality award. Abby Hinzman and Joli Ferry were honored as Miss Photogenic in their respective divisions. The pageant drew hundreds of spectators to the festival grounds near the Viera Village Complex.
The Little Miss Key Lime Pie Fest crown was awarded to Esme Jenkins on February 21, but the Miss Division for ages 7-12 went unclaimed this year. Organizers did not immediately explain why no contestant entered that category. The judging panel included Melissa Parker, Mrs. Melbourne Florida America 2026; Dyarah Powell, Ms. Key Lime Pie Fest 2026; Kimberly Clayton, Talent Scout for the World’s Most Beautiful Pageant; and Beth York, Ms. Florida Petite 2023 and Space Coast Daily contest host.
Pope, a 22-year-old from Melbourne, said her win was ‘a dream come true.’ She plans to use her platform to promote local businesses and environmental causes. Branham, 28, who previously served as Ms. Key Lime Pie Fest in 2025, emphasized her commitment to youth mentorship. ‘This isn’t just about pageantry,’ she said. ‘It’s about connecting with the community.’
The festival, which runs through March 7, includes pie-eating contests, live music, and vendor booths. Organizers expect over 10,000 attendees this week, with proceeds benefiting the Brevard County Food Bank. The pageant’s return follows a yearlong hiatus due to pandemic-related restrictions.