Live Music
Eleven acts on three stages: Wingspan and Monarch in Area 1, the Nest Box pavilion in Area 2. Every performer is donating the day.
Celebrating 75 Years of Delaware State Parks Fundraising for 2026
Raising $30,000 for the Park
Every dollar Pond Fest generates goes directly to funding or enhancing Lums Pond State Park programs and facilities.
Pond Fest has generated about $30,000 for Lums Pond since 2024. This year's goal: match it in a single day.
Donate to Pond Fest 2026
Youth Scholarships
Subsidize environmental education field trips for Title 1 schools at Lums Pond. In 2024, 524 students attended these outdoor experiences.
Accessible Kayak Launch
Complete funding for a BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch, opening Lums Pond's waters to visitors of all abilities.
The Experience
What to Expect
One festival, three park areas, and plenty going on in each of them. Here's what you'll find. The event map further down shows where the areas sit, and the free shuttle loops between them all day. Leashed dogs are welcome everywhere, and there is even an agility course for them in Area 2.
Junior Jam
Our kids' zone, and the reason a lot of families come at all. Duck pond, pumpkin painting, temporary tattoos, and a stage sized for people who are three feet tall. Every kid gets a backstage pass on the way in and a stamp at each activity, and a full pass earns a prize on the way out.
First Responders Block Party Expanded
A full day with Delaware's fire, police, and EMS crews, and the biggest it has been. More agencies than last year, more equipment on the grass, and the people who answer the call standing next to it, happy to talk to your kids.
K9 Demonstrations
Live demonstrations from the Wilmington Police Department K9 Unit, running throughout the day.
Dog Agility New
Demonstrations from the Academy of Dog Training & Agility, with student dogs of every level and breed running the course. Agility is a numbered obstacle course you walk first and then run together with your dog, and it works for any breed or size. Bring your own dog for a walk-up mini-lesson: they run all day, for a suggested $10 donation to the Pond Fest fundraiser, and everything is taught with fun, positive methods.
Beer Garden 21+
Autumn Arch Beer Project, Dogfish Head, JAKL Beerworks, Volunteer Brewing Company, and New Belgium pouring all day.
Food Trucks
Over a dozen trucks spread across the park, so you're never far from lunch. Bring cash or card.
Kids Entrepreneur Market New
A farmers market with young entrepreneurs at the center of it. Twenty-plus booths, every one run by a kid selling something they made: handmade crafts, baked goods, original products, and the odd invention. Kids Markets is a nonprofit that helps kids launch and run a real small business, and they take care of registration, setup, and insurance so the kids can get on with the selling. Cash is the safest bet at the booths.
Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
The Little Farm DE brings a trailer of animals down for the day. Ponies to ride, and a petting area with the smaller ones for kids who would rather keep both feet on the ground.
Face Painting
Also from The Little Farm DE, set up beside the animals. Tigers, butterflies, and whatever else the artist can talk a kid into.
Local Vendors & Nonprofits
More than 40 artisans, crafters, makers, and community nonprofits under the tents.
Pickleball Ladder Tournament $10 entry
Two ladder sessions run by the Diamond State Pickleball Club: beginner and intermediate players from 12 to 2, advanced (3.5+) from 2:30 to 4:30. Win your court and you move up a court, lose and you move down, so you spend the afternoon playing people at your own level. Doubles, with partners assigned on the day, so sign up on your own. $10 per player, donated to Friends of Lums Pond, and prizes for the winners. Twelve spots per session, so register early.
Horseshoes
Open play with the First State Horseshoe Club. Walk up, pick up a shoe, and a club member will show you how it is done. No experience and no equipment needed, and all ages are welcome. Want to guarantee your turn? Email Patty to reserve a one-hour slot (12, 1, 2, 3, or 4 o'clock); walk-ups are welcome whenever a pitch is free.
Raffles & Silent Auction
A whole tent of baskets and prizes donated by local businesses. Winners are called before the last set.
Climb Aboard the Rigs
Fire engines, squad cars, ambulances, and rescue gear, with the crews standing by to answer questions.
Pond Fest Merch Store
New this year as a walk-in shop: this year's heron-drummer tees, hats, and a fleece blanket, plus stickers, pins, posters, and other small goods. Grab a basket, browse, and check out at the counter. Pre-orders are collected at the info tent in Area 1. See the Merch section for the full lineup.
Playground
The park's own playground sits right in the middle of Area 2, open all day and free. Handy when someone has had enough of standing in lines.
Adaptive Kayak Launch Site
Come see the spot on the water where the BoardSafe accessible launch is going, and what your donation is buying.
RC Aircraft Displays
Remote-control planes on the field from the Delaware R/C Club, with pilots happy to talk shop.
DelaWanderer Airstream
Delaware State Parks' traveling outpost, parked up with staff, gear, and park merch.
Rainbow Record Bus New
Crate digging on wheels: a school bus rebuilt into a record shop, bins down both sides and a rug in the middle. Rainbow Records of Newark is bringing it to Pond Fest for the first time this year, parked up next to the Airstream.
In every area
- Free all-day shuttle between the areas and the campground
- Free parking at every area
- Leashed dogs welcome
- Restrooms in all three areas
Not sure where anything is? Plan Your Visit has the event map.
Wear the Fest
Pond Fest Merch
This year's design puts a great blue heron behind the drum kit. Pre-order yours now and collect it at the info tent in Area 1 on event day, or shop the walk-in merch tent during the fest.
Pre-sales are open
Order by noon Eastern on Wednesday, September 23. Nothing ships:
pre-orders are collected at the info tent in Area 1 on event
day.
Pre-Order Merch
Pre-sales have closed
Shop the walk-in merch tent in Area 1 during Pond Fest. Grab a
basket, browse, and check out at the counter. Pre-orders are
collected at the info tent in Area 1.
-
Nature Rocks Tee
Adult and youth sizes. The full 2026 lineup on the back
Pre-order Nature Rocks Tee -
Fleece Hoodie
Limited edition, pre-order only
Pre-order Fleece Hoodie -
Charcoal Trucker Hat
Pre-order Charcoal Trucker Hat -
White Rope Hat
Pre-order White Rope Hat -
Fleece Blanket
Fest tent only
Also at the merch tent on event day
- Stickers
- Keychains
- Posters
- Pins
- Temporary tattoos
- Magnets
- Koozies
- Collector cup
Before You Go
Plan Your Visit
Event Map
Tap to
enlarge
Free to attend. The standard park entrance fee still applies at the gate: $5 for Delaware vehicles, $10 out-of-state, and annual passes are accepted.
There is free parking at all three event areas. Follow the Pond Fest signs from the park entrance, and the welcome team at the area split will point you to the closest lot. The standard park entrance fee is collected at the gate: $5 for Delaware vehicles, $10 out-of-state, and annual passes are accepted.
A free shuttle loops between Areas 1, 2, and 3 and the Lums Pond campground all day. The three event areas are an easy walk from each other. The campground is not, so if you're camping, plan on riding the shuttle both ways.
Pond Fest is dog-friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome in all three areas, per park rules, and the Academy of Dog Training & Agility runs walk-up agility mini-lessons in Area 2 all day. Bring water and a bowl; it is a long day outdoors for them too.
Chairs, blankets, cash or card, water. And screenshot this map before you arrive.
Rain date: Sunday, October 11. If anything changes we will post it here and on our socials.
Live Music
Music Lineup
Eleven acts across three stages: Wingspan and Monarch in Area 1, and the Nest Box pavilion stage in Area 2. Every performer is donating their time, so the music you hear all day is money that stays with the park. Set times go up as soon as we have them, so follow us on Facebook if you don't want to miss your favorites.
Benny Preston
Benny is a 50-year veteran of the Delaware music scene, known for his high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing style. With an extensive repertoire spanning the 1950s to today's hits, he delivers something for every generation, keeping audiences entertained from the first song to the last.
Billy Pierce Band
Billy Pierce is an electric slide disciple of the Sonny Landreth earthy New Orleans style. Billy's crafted his songs into blues, rhythm and swamp funk. He has opened for Indigenous, Mike Zito and Tyrone Vaughn of the Texas Vaughn musical dynasty. Billy has recorded 8 CDs and is working on 2 more.
Website for Billy Pierce Band
Brian Corcoran
Brian is a Delaware-based singer-songwriter whose performances blend heartfelt original music with timeless Americana favorites. Drawing from folk, blues, and rock traditions, he delivers an engaging mix of originals and beloved covers that connect with audiences of all ages.
Camp
Camp is an instrumental experience that fuses the energy of surf rock, the attitude of punk, the spontaneity of jazz, and the adventurous spirit of indie rock. Their music delivers infectious rhythms, unexpected twists, with a uniquely quirky edge.
Cher's Playground
Cher's Playground is a Delaware-based musical duo and cover band featuring powerhouse vocalist Cher Goodchild. Known for their energetic performances and crowd-pleasing setlists, they bring beloved hits and fan-favorite covers to every stage, creating an unforgettable live music experience.
Facebook for Cher's Playground
Dansino
Dansino is the spirited acoustic duo of Anthony Ambrosino and Bob Danyo, delivering exceptional musicianship, and an energetic live performance. Both are accomplished vocalists, with Anthony on guitar and Bob on mandolin, creating a distinctive blend of acoustic favorites that entertains audiences of all ages.
Guilt 45 Band
Guilt 45 Band is a 4-piece grunge & alternative band covering the best of the 90s and 2000s. They're bringing back the Seattle Sound to kick-start the nostalgia of that era while introducing younger generations to those iconic moments. In addition to the classics, Guilt 45 is always adding to their 200+ song catalog with fan favorites, one-hit wonders, and deep cuts to make every show fresh and exciting.
Facebook for Guilt 45 Band
Hippocampus
Hippocampus is one of Delaware's premier high-energy bands, blending jazz, blues, rock, and pop into a dynamic American sound reminiscent of Phish and Dave Matthews Band. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band mixes crowd-favorite covers with compelling original music, creating an engaging experience for all.
Facebook for Hippocampus
Mauka & Makai
Mauka & Makai are Frieda Fisher-Tyler & Robin Tyler. Based in Kent County, Delaware, this talented duo has been making music together for the past two years, bringing energy and chemistry to every performance. Their crowd-pleasing setlist blends beloved covers from folk, pop, and island-inspired genres, creating a fun, feel-good sound that keeps audiences coming back for more.
The Sarah Koon Band
Sarah Koon is a Wilmington, DE-based indie pop/art-rock band centered around classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter Sarah Koon. Her music features original cinematic melodies with a quirky charm.
Facebook for The Sarah Koon Band
Scott & Tammy
Scott & Tammy are a husband & wife duo based out of Smyrna, Delaware. They play acoustic covers and originals with Scott on guitar, Tammy on washboard and other percussion instruments. Their influences include Grateful Dead, Peter Rowan and Animal from the Muppets.
Hosted all day by Tom the Spokesman
on Facebook & DJ DLyte
1951 – 2026 75 Years of Delaware State Parks
Delaware State Parks turns 75 in 2026, and Pond Fest is proud to be part of the celebration. Since 1951, these parks have protected the places Delawareans love, including our own Lums Pond, home of the state's largest freshwater pond. Most people don't realize Delaware's state parks are roughly 65% self-funded. Entrance fees, programs, and community support keep them running, which is why a Friends group, and a festival like this one, matter.
Explore 75 years of Delaware State Parks → Be Part of It
Get Involved
Volunteer
Help make Pond Fest happen. We need hands for setup, Junior Jam, info tables, and more.
Sign Up to VolunteerPerform
Are you a local musician or performer? We want to hear from you.
Thank You
Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Masonic Charities of Delaware
Platinum Sponsors
Granite-Corinthian Lodge No. 34 A.F. & A.M.Patterson Schwartz
Gold Sponsors
ChristianaCareUnion Park BMWMr MulchT&D Bus Service
Silver Sponsors
Premier Paws LLCLittle Bear Dog CareRainbow RecordsDeerfield Golf ClubThe F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert CompanyGuild MortgageEric Morrison
Bronze Sponsors
Snarky Bark Pet Treats
Special Thanks
Councilman David CarterCouncilman Kevin Caneco
Become a sponsor and put your name on the biggest Pond Fest yet.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Pond Fest. Can't find your answer? Email pondfest@friendsoflumspond.org
Writing about Pond Fest, or promoting it as a sponsor, vendor, or performer? Press & media kit →
Pond Fest is the annual signature fundraiser of Friends of Lums Pond State Park (FOLP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is a free community festival with live music on three stages, local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, kids' activities, raffles, and more. The third annual Pond Fest, on October 10, 2026, is the biggest one yet: for the first time it spans three areas of the park. Every dollar raised supports Lums Pond State Park.
Pond Fest is free to attend, and there is no ticket. The only cost to get in is the standard Delaware State Parks vehicle entrance fee at the gate: $5 for Delaware plates, $10 for out-of-state (annual passes accepted; see destateparks.com). Some activities cost extra, like Junior Jam, the pickleball ladder ($10 per player), and dog agility mini-lessons (suggested $10 donation), plus food, drinks, and the beer garden. Bring cash or card.
Pond Fest 2026 is planned for Saturday, October 10, with a rain date of Sunday, October 11. If weather forces a change, we'll announce it right here at the top of this page and on our Facebook and Instagram, so check back before you head out.
There is free parking at all three event areas. Follow the Pond Fest signs from the park entrance at 1068 Howell School Rd. Areas 1, 2, and 3 are all walkable, with a marked path connecting Area 1 to Area 2, and a free shuttle loops between all three areas throughout the day.
Take the free shuttle! It serves the campground all day. Unlike the three event areas, the campground is not a walk. It is a separate drive around the outside of the park, so plan on the shuttle both ways.
Completely. Junior Jam, our kids' zone, has pumpkin painting, a duck pond, temporary tattoos, a kid-sized stage, and a backstage pass that kids get stamped at each activity to earn a prize. Area 2 adds pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, dog agility demos, the playground, and the Kids Entrepreneur Market with 20+ youth-run booths.
Yes! Pond Fest is dog-friendly: leashed dogs are welcome throughout all three areas, in accordance with park rules. New this year, the Academy of Dog Training & Agility runs agility demonstrations and walk-up mini-lessons in Area 2 all day, so your dog can try the course too (suggested $10 donation). It's a full day outdoors, so bring water and a bowl for them.
Yes, outside food and drinks are permitted in accordance with park rules. That said, over a dozen food trucks and a beer garden will be there to tempt you.
Coverage at the park is workable, but it can get spotty with a big crowd. Screenshot the event map, and the schedule once it is posted, before you arrive. Directional signs and the welcome tent at the area split can always point you the right way.
Yes. The event areas are mostly flat and grassy, with paved park roads, and the free shuttle runs between all three areas all day. There are marked accessible parking spaces in the park lots, and the welcome team at the area split can point you to the closest ones. Lums Pond also has accessible trails, and Delaware State Parks keeps a free all-terrain Action Trackchair at the park: motorized treads, a tilting seat, and a companion joystick so someone can help you drive it. Reserve it at no cost by calling the park office at (302) 368-6989 at least 48 hours ahead; sessions are three hours and start with a short how-to video and a waiver. Planning a visit and want to know more? Email pondfest@friendsoflumspond.org and we will help however we can.
Lawn chairs or blankets for the music areas, cash or card, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. And a phone with the event map screenshotted, as above.
This year's $30,000 goal funds two things: field trip assistance so students from Title I schools can experience the park, and the adaptive kayak launch that will open Lums Pond's waters to visitors of all abilities. See the fundraising goals above. Since 2024, Pond Fest has generated about $30,000 for Lums Pond.
Yes. Pond Fest runs on volunteers, and we need hands for setup, Junior Jam, info tables, and day-of operations. Shifts are short and the company is great. Sign up via the Volunteer button above.
From Past Events
Fest Memories
Event photography by Amanda Rose Photography
Since 2024
Our History
2 Years
· $30K Generated
· 2,100+ Attendees
Pond Fest launched in 2024 and has grown into one of Delaware's favorite community outdoor festivals.
View All Past EventsAbout Our Sponsors and Supporters
Friends of Lums Pond State Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers. Our work is the park, and we are nonpartisan.
Pond Fest is paid for by businesses, community groups, and individuals from across our area, and it is put on with the help of dozens of vendors, performers, and partner organizations. Accepting a sponsorship, donation, or vendor fee is not an endorsement of that person or organization, or of their products, services, opinions, or political or religious views. Their support likewise does not mean they endorse everything we say or do. They are here because they want to support Lums Pond State Park, and that is the common ground we ask everyone to stand on.
As a 501(c)(3) we do not support or oppose candidates for public office, and Pond Fest is not a venue for campaign activity. What we are after is a welcoming, family-friendly day where the whole community feels at home, and we reserve the right to decline support or participation that works against that.
Questions about this, or about who supports Pond Fest? Email pondfest@friendsoflumspond.org.