Now in its fourth year, Koi Fest has grown from a simple idea into the largest koi event in the United States. What began as Fitz’s vision for a blowout end-of-season sale has transformed into a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together every corner of the koi and pond community. His dream was simple yet ambitious: take all the most exciting elements of the koi world and unite them in one place for a weekend of discovery, connection, and celebration.
At Koi Fest, guests can do much more than shop for some of the highest-quality Japanese koi available in America. The event features a Japanese-inspired koi auction, mirroring the excitement of auctions in Niigata, as well as the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show, showcasing some of the most spectacular fish in the world. To ensure the event is fun for everyone, Fitz’s Fish Ponds (FFP) has expanded the festival each year with family-friendly activities including a kids’ play area, face painting, and even a Unity Bank–sponsored hot air balloon ride.
Scale and Atmosphere
Koi Fest 2025 took place on Aug. 23, 2025 in Milford, New Jersey, at the FFP Farm. Throughout the year, the farm can be visited by appointment only, but FFP opens their doors for Koi Fest one weekend each year. Far more than just koi, it was a celebration of passion and global koi culture. The event brought together over 100 staff members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, while more than 1,500 guests traveled from across the country and around the world to attend. The scale of the event was unprecedented, growing an estimated 25 percent larger than the previous year. Gates opened early to handle the overwhelming crowds, and by 9 a.m. over 100 people were already lined up to be among the first to experience the festival.
This year raised the bar once again with 33 exciting giveaways, including koi, pond products, gift cards, merchandise, and the most coveted prize of them all — a free koi buying trip to Japan.
It’s an event that connects hobbyists and DIY pond lovers with contractors, retailers, judges, Japanese breeders, and koi experts from across the globe, filling the farm with energy and excitement.
A Night of Special Access
The excitement began Friday evening with Special Access Night, a private ticketed event that gave koi lovers a more intimate connection to the festival. For $200, attendees received a guided tour of the Milford, New Jersey koi farm, home to one of the most impressive collections of Japanese koi in the country. The evening concluded with the Special Access Welcome Dinner, which featured an unforgettable culinary performance by Tokyo Hibachi and SEP Events. Guests dined on sushi and hibachi served from a dragon-themed grill and sushi display, a stunning centerpiece that honored this year’s Aragoke theme. The experience blended culture, cuisine, and koi passion, setting the perfect stage for the weekend ahead.
Main Day Highlights
On Saturday, the festival grounds erupted with activity. Thousands of koi were offered for sale, ranging from small tosai to massive champions, and the exclusive koi auction created a rush of excitement as collectors bid on high-value fish. Normally selling for $5,000 to $8,000, many koi were purchased for $2,000 to $3,000, drawing serious buyers eager to secure once-in-a-lifetime deals.
In addition, over $10,000 worth of koi products and pond accessories were given away during the day, culminating in the announcement of the annual free koi buying trip to Japan, a tradition that has become one of Koi Fest’s most anticipated moments. Beyond koi, the festival offered an atmosphere that celebrated community as much as it did fish. Guests enjoyed local food and wine, including a tasting by Gary Vee’s father’s business, Wine Library, while exploring an expansive vendor village. Food trucks such as 22 West, Tia B’s Street Tacos, Q-Crew BBQ, and Q-Bros Ice Cream & Italian Ice kept the crowds fueled, while dozens of vendors including Evolution Aqua, Koi Trips USA, Microbe Lift, Atlantic Oase, Mid-Atlantic Koi Club, Maple Leaf Bonsai, Easy Pro, and FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping gave hobbyists the chance to discover the latest products and services.
Adding celebrity energy to the day, Adam Richman, host of Man vs. Food, served as MC for the event. Richman announced giveaways, interacted with the crowd, and gave glowing reviews of the food vendors, praising the flavors that made Koi Fest not only a koi lover’s paradise but also a culinary adventure. Legendary breeders such as Shigeru Mano of Dainichi Koi Farm, Shuki Narita of Narita Koi Farm, and Masaru Saito of Shintaro Koi Farm joined industry leaders like Tim Waddington, Yvo DeWal, and Mark McKinney, sharing their expertise with the crowd. Live music by The Brandywine Poets carried the event through the afternoon, while families enjoyed children’s activities, raffles, and the spectacle of the koi auction.
Tri State ZNA Koi Show
Beyond sales and auctions, another highlight of the event was the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show. This prestigious competition, organized by the Tri-State chapter of ZNA in conjunction with Fitz’s Fish Ponds, and sponsored by Hikari, brought together an extraordinary lineup of koi that rivaled those seen at major international shows. Rows of blue show vats lined the festival grounds, each holding koi that represented years of dedication, breeding, and artistry. Judges from around the world evaluated fish based on body conformation, skin quality, color depth, and pattern balance — the highest standards in the hobby.
The show featured some of the best koi ever seen in the U.S., including the All American Koi Show Grand Champion and the 90-bu champion from the All Japan Koi Show. Spectators crowded around vats, pointing out subtle refinements in skin luster and the elegance of swimming posture, while newcomers marveled at the sheer size and beauty of living jewels exceeding 30 inches. The koi show elevated the festival from a community gathering to a stage where serious collectors and breeders could compete for prestige and recognition.
Koi Fest 2025 Weekend Concludes in Style
When the public event wrapped up at 4 p.m., the Fitz’s Fish Ponds team shifted gears with remarkable efficiency. In less than an hour, the festival grounds were transformed into an elegant banquet space for the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show Banquet. The evening featured passed appetizers, glowing tent lights, and a festive yet reverent atmosphere as koi awards were presented. Among the evening’s highlights were the top honors of the 13th Annual Tri-State ZNA Koi Show, where Herbert Fritch’s striking Showa over 30 inches was crowned Grand Champion A, and Andrew Sandler’s stunning Kinginrin B of the same size class earned Grand Champion B. Guests applauded the artistry and dedication behind each of these remarkable koi, celebrating the exceptional craftsmanship and passion that define the world of koi keeping and closing the weekend on a truly high note.
Powered by Community and Sponsors
The success of Koi Fest 2025 was made possible by the tremendous support of its sponsors. Atlantic Oase led as Platinum Sponsor, while Gold Sponsors included Unity Bank, Microbe Lift, Evolution Aqua USA, Profi Drum USA, and Koi Trips USA.
Silver Sponsors such as Pond Magic, Performance Pro, Predatory Fins, Maple Leaf Bonsai, and Fly Green Charters added innovation and artistry, while Bronze Sponsors included Wine Library, C & A Financial, Eternal Ember, Easy Pro, Aqua Meds, POND Trade, Elevate, and Twisted Ink helped bring the event to life.
Purple-level vendors like FFP Pond Pros & Fish Health, Mid-Atlantic Koi Club, Sophie Printmaking, and FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping rounded out the robust showcase.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Attendees praised Koi Fest 2025 for the quality of koi and the sense of community and global culture it fosters. “Just when you think it can’t get bigger or better, Fitz’s Fish Ponds does it again,” remarked Eric Triplett, also known as The Pond Digger.
As the koi world looks ahead to the fifth anniversary of Koi Fest in 2026, anticipation is already building. If 2025 is any indication, the milestone celebration promises to be larger, more dynamic, and filled with surprises that will continue to make Koi Fest the premier koi event in America.
Koi Fest is more than koi. It is passion, community, and a living celebration of global koi culture.
Koi Fest 2025 Photo Gallery
