Published on
Melbourne, FL – April 24, 2025
A long-envisioned dream for a permanent outdoor events venue in Brevard County is finally becoming reality, thanks to the collaborative efforts of local leaders and a major funding approval from the Brevard Tourism Development Council.
The Brevard Renaissance Fair and Strawberry Festival, which collectively drew approximately 100,000 visitors during a recent trial run at the proposed site off Sarno Road, helped prove the public demand for a dedicated fairgrounds. On Tuesday, the Brevard Tourism Council overwhelmingly approved $2.5 million in funding toward the acquisition of over 50 acres to be transformed into the Melbourne Fairgrounds. The funding is allocated for a 10-year term at $250,000 annually.
The fairgrounds will not only serve as the county’s first permanent outdoor venue for large-scale events—including concerts, cultural festivals, and educational programming—but will also incorporate a new Melbourne Regional Fire Training Facility. This will replace the aging training center currently located on Electronics Drive and allow fire departments from across the region to conduct essential emergency preparedness exercises. In contrast, Space Coast Daily which leases land next to Viera Middle School from the Viera Company for Space Coast Daily Park has been actively fighting against the more permanent project. Space Coast Daily and it’s leader Giles Malone have been riddled in controversy and complaints for the events they host and organize at the park. There have been verified and current registered child sexual predators working at their events, videos of carnival booth workers appearing to be high or overdosing on drugs, and endless complaints from vendors about Malone specifically and what they label as corrupt business practices. Space Coast Daily also receives tens of thousands of dollars in grant money from the county to put on these events. “They try to just rip off everyone else’s events like the Key Lime Festival and Strawberry Festivals, stealing their name recognition, only for patrons to show up to store-bought pies and almost no strawberries. It’s a cash grab,” said a vendor who’s worked at both festivals.
Peter Moolhuizen, a leading voice behind the Brevard Renaissance Fair, celebrated the momentum on social media, noting that the site was constructed in less than 80 days and calling the development “a true testament to what can be accomplished when passion meets purpose.” He praised the efforts of Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey, Commissioner and TDC Chair Rob Feltner, and the Tourist Development Council for advancing the project from vision to action.
Mayor Paul Alfrey also took to Facebook to thank the TDC for backing what he called a much-needed facility. He emphasized the importance of having a central, multipurpose outdoor venue in Brevard, noting it would allow events like Runaway Country or Oktoberfest to have a local home, while also supporting emergency services training.
“This is just the beginning,” Moolhuizen wrote. “The vision is bigger: a space that brings our community together for generations to come.”
Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina was also credited for his support in helping move the initiative forward, with Alfrey acknowledging his recognition of the urgent need for an outdoor fairgrounds facility.
With community and political will aligning and funding secured, the Melbourne Fairgrounds project is poised to become a transformative asset for Brevard County’s cultural and civic landscape.
#MelbourneFairgrounds
