Tiny Miss Hometown USA Kennedy Strait from Melbourne Uses Pageant Title to Inspire Kindness Brevard County

helped create more than 200 handmade bookmarks for Comfort Cases

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eight-year-old Kennedy Strait of Melbourne is making a difference far beyond her years as she proudly represents her hometown as Tiny Miss in the Hometown USA Program.

With her crown and title, Kennedy is using her platform not for personal spotlight, but to serve others through volunteerism and community outreach across the state.

Her journey has already taken her to the State Capitol, where a proclamation recognizing her efforts was read before the Senate. She has also received letters of encouragement and congratulations from several state representatives, including the Governor, acknowledging her impact and dedication.

The Hometown USA Program is built on principles of leadership, kindness, and civic engagement, values that Kennedy has embraced wholeheartedly. With the support of Brevard County volunteers, she has helped create more than 200 handmade bookmarks for Comfort Cases.

This nonprofit provides children entering foster care with meaningful items to help ease difficult transitions.

Kennedy also plays a role in the Peyton Heart Project, a national movement focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. By helping to distribute crocheted hearts donated by caring Brevard County residents, she spreads messages of kindness and hope to those who may be struggling.

Her service extends to children’s charities as well. Kennedy has delivered donations to organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Give Kids the World, Shriners Children’s Hospital, and Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, each time bringing a message of compassion and support.

Though just eight years old, Kennedy’s actions reflect a maturity and sense of purpose that inspire those around her. Her hometown takes pride in the way she carries the title of Tiny Miss, showing that even at a young age, leadership and kindness can create lasting change in the community.

Brevard County Pageants 2026

The Space Coast Fruit Festival Pageants are coming back, starting in February 2026. Each festival will host a Miss Fruit Festival Pageant, giving girls and women of all ages a chance to take home a crown.

The Space Coast Fruit Festivals will be a weekend-long, family festival designed to create a fun environment for people to enjoy affordable, healthy, and wholesome fun at Space Coast Daily Park in Viera on Florida’s Space Coast.

The Space Coast Key Lime Pie Festival will be held February 21-22. The Space Coast Strawberry Festival will be held April 11-12. Both events will be at the Space Coast Daily Park, located at 5775 Stadium Pkwy. in Melbourne.

Now Introducing New Categories

Both pageants offer a variety of age categories to participate in:

● Little Miss: ages 3-6
● Miss: ages 7-12
● Teen Miss: ages 13-19
● Ms: ages 20-39
● Elite: ages 40+ (NEW)

Advanced registration is free and recommended, and you can find the full rules and registration information at Miss Strawberry Festival Pageant and Miss Key Lime Pie Pageant.

Be sure to check out all of the other contests, events, and activities that will be taking place at each festival.

NOTE: Pageant coaching is available. For questions regarding the Space Coast Fruit Festival Pageants, email Beth.SpaceCoastDaily@gmail.com

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