Koi Fest 2024: A Celebration of Koi and Community

Published on October 30, 2024

Fitz’s Fish Ponds Farm in Milford, NJ, was the epicenter for koi enthusiasts on Saturday, August 24th, as koi lovers from around the globe gathered for Koi Fest 2024. This year’s event was a spectacular celebration of koi culture, drawing industry experts, dedicated hobbyists, and families for a full day of education, entertainment, and community building.

Months of Detailed Planning

Koi Fest 2024 was the culmination of months of careful planning, beginning as early as June. The Fitz’s Fish Ponds (FFP) team worked tirelessly, organizing every aspect of the event, from koi sales and auctions to giveaways and retail layout. The smooth execution of the event was a testament to their dedication, ensuring guests enjoyed a flawless experience throughout the day.

Exclusive Access for Special Ticket Holders

The festivities kicked off Friday evening with an exclusive event for Special Access Ticket holders. These attendees, who paid $150 for a behind-the-scenes tour, were treated to a personal look inside FFP’s koi houses. CEO and Owner Brian Fitzsimmons, Director of Koi Sales AJ Mandell, Retail Store Managers Tom Swinarsky and Ryan Cardillo, and Fish Department Lead Jim Cudworth led the tours, with assistance from the fish team, including Mike Milazzo and Logan Plitzer. This experience provided a unique opportunity to be the first to view and select koi that would later be on display for the main event.

Special Access Night & Welcome BBQ

After the tours, vendors and guests gathered for a welcome BBQ dinner catered by Dan’s Backyard BBQ. Notable attendees included Jeff Weemhoff, President and Owner of Atlantic Oase, Lora Lee Gelles, Publisher and Owner of Pond Trade Magazine, Aquatic Plant Specialist Kelly Billings, and Duffy Shivaprashed of Ecological Labs (Microbe Lift). The evening fostered a sense of community as pond contractors, koi enthusiasts, and industry leaders shared their passion for the hobby. Eric Triplett, The Pond Digger, captured the excitement with interviews of attendees, documenting the behind-the-scenes experience and Koi Fest highlights.

A Day of Festivities and Fun

Koi Fest 2024 truly came to life on Saturday, August 24th, with a full day of activities, entertainment, and giveaways. A total of 18 giveaways were sponsored by an impressive lineup of vendors, including Twisted Ink Screen Printing, Unity Bank, Atlantic Oase, Microbe Lift, Splash Labs, Pondguard, K Flanders Fish Charters, Aqua Meds, The Bonsai Shack, Mid Atlantic Koi Club, Sophie Screenprinting, Performance Pro, Reefco, Hikari, and Dot Fitzsimmons of ERA Boniakowski. The grand prize—an exciting koi trip to Japan—went to Bob Schlet of the ZNA Koi Club.

Unity Bank’s tethered hot air balloon rides were a highlight, offering attendees a unique perspective of the event. Live music by the Brandywine Poets kept spirits high, while food trucks such as Nana’s Pizza, 22West, Epic Cookies, and Q Bros Ice Cream provided delicious fare. The event also catered to families with koi-themed games, a bouncy house, stickers, tattoos, bubbles, life-size tic-tac-toe, and a hand-painted photo station.

FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping Debut at Koi Fest 2024

Koi Fest 2024 marked the debut of FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping, a new department within Fitz’s Fish Ponds that specializes in tropical freshwater fish and aquascaping. Though the department opened its doors in December at FFP’s New Hope and Green Brook locations, its official unveiling at Koi Fest brought a fresh focus to this exciting new venture.

Led by Jenn Bujalski and Howard Lowenthal, FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping’s booth became a standout attraction. Attendees were captivated by the beautiful pop-up shop showcasing tropical freshwater fish, aquatic plants, and stunning display tanks, sparking inspiration among both seasoned hobbyists and newcomers. Key vendors Microbe Lift and Oase supported the booth, providing high-quality aquarium products.

In collaboration with Ultum Nature Aquariums, Microbe Lift, and Oase, the department hosted several giveaways throughout the day, offering top-of-the-line products that delighted the winners. “We are thrilled to have had such a successful debut at Koi Fest,” said Jenn Bujalski, one of the department’s managers. “Our goal is to provide fish and plant lovers with the best products and advice to support their passion, and we’re excited to continue building this community.”

The Auction: A Highly Anticipated Event

The koi auction was one of the most anticipated moments of the day, drawing a large crowd eager to bid on stunning koi. The fish were displayed Japanese-style on a red carpet, adding an elegant touch to the auction. Alfred, the auctioneer, maintained a lively atmosphere, and many attendees left with prized new koi for their collections.

ZNA Koi Show & Awards Banquet

The day wrapped up with the ZNA Koi Show Awards Banquet, a ticketed event featuring passed appetizers, cocktails, a full dinner, and a life-size Hi Utsuri koi cake. Andrew Sandler of Polo Reef took home the Grand Champion Award for his koi, “Jennifer Aniston,” which had previously won the Grand Champion title at the All American Koi Show in Las Vegas. With this win, “Jennifer Aniston” secured her status as a two-time champion.

A Celebration of Community and Koi Culture

The night ended around a bonfire, where guests, the FFP team, and special attendees came together to celebrate their shared love of koi and the pond industry. Koi Fest 2024 was a massive success, with attendees already looking forward to next year’s event. Mark your calendars—Koi Fest 2025 is set for August 23rd, promising another unforgettable experience for koi enthusiasts around the world.

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