Pond Fest 2025

Go to Live Event Site!

What is Pond Fest?

Friends of Lums Pond

Friends of Lums Pond, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Lums Pond State Park through volunteer efforts, fundraising, education, and advocacy. Operating independently since 2002, we work under a Friends agreement with Delaware State Parks, following their standards for volunteer organizations.

Come talk to us at the information tables! You could even become a member!
You can read more about member benefits here.

Pond Fest

Pond Fest is a concert for a cause hosted by the Friends of Lums Pond State Park. Our specific goals for this event are to fund youth scholarships as much as possible in 2025 and install an accessible kayak launch ramp.

Our group has reached out to our local community including small businesses, non-profits, crafters, volunteers, and clubs. The response has been incredibly rewarding and positive!

Our goal this year is to raise $10,000. Please help us achieve our goal to give back to the park and community!

We also have event-exclusive merch for sale at the information tables! pond fest shirt

Tag us on social media!
@FriendsOfLumsPond
#LumsPond
#LumsPondFest
#NatureRocks
#DEStateParks

What are we fundraising for?

Youth Scholarships

Scholarship funds increase access for Title 1 schools (schools with 40% or more low-income families) to the outdoors through environmental education field trips by reducing the cost barrier to local schools. In the spring of 2024, Lums Pond had 524 students attend these field trips. Our ultimate goal is to subsidize as much of that as possible and enable more students to participate. If you'd like to contribute to this program directly, please visit our fundraising campaign here.

Accessible Kayak Launch

We want to make Lums Pond more accessible so that everyone has the chance to enjoy being on the water. This year we are targeting a BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch, a nationally recognized system designed with adaptive features that make it safer and easier for people of all abilities to launch and land their kayaks. The launch includes transfer platforms, handrails, and stability features that allow users greater independence. By funding this project, we will open Lums Pond’s waters to more visitors than ever before. If you'd like to contribute to this program directly, please visit our fundraising campaign here.

Our Mission

We are also raising funds to support our organization's ongoing mission of preserving and enhancing Lums Pond State Park in partnership with the DNREC park staff.

Event Amenities & Activities

Event Map

event map at pond fest

Parking Map

Main parking will be in Area 1 (where the event is located). If needed, overflow parking will be available in Area 2, near the playground. Follow Pond Fest signs down the short trail to get to Area 1.

parking map at pond fest

Live Music

Check out this year's stacked lineup of live music and entertainment! We'll also have an Open Mic all day at the Nest Box stage! Sign up begins there at 11am.

Secondhand Stray
FINN
Big Izzy and Bullfrog
The Mad Dabbers
Stealing Society
Adam Molden
Vic Kozar
Acoustic Sinz
Ballet Folklórico
Alyssa Compton
Pet Project
pond fest lineup

Live Music Seating

Relax on the lawn at our Wingspan stage or enjoy picnic seating near the Monarch stage.

Local Brews

Beer and seltzer will be available for purchase thanks to the generous donations of local breweries. Beer tickets can be purchased at Pond Fest HQ.

Food Trucks

We've got some incredible food trucks lined up this year!

Activities

First Responder Displays & Demos

We're honored to welcome Delaware's first responders to Pond Fest! From 1-3 PM, you can explore their vehicles, equipment, and displays — and meet the heroes who serve our communities every day.

first responders layout

Kid Zone!

We have a ton of fun activities planned for the kids! Kid Zone wristbands can be purchased at Pond Fest HQ.

Raffle and Silent Auction

We'll be raffling and auctioning off a variety of exciting items generously donated by Friends of Lums Pond supporters. A few examples include:

Vendors, Crafters, and Nonprofits

We've got over 40 vendors, crafters, and nonprofits lined up for you to explore. Check back soon for more details.

vendor map at pond fest
Name of Business/Organization Location
Academy of Dog Training G1/G2
Art By M. Johnston E1
Backyard Squeeze A9
Bea Delightful A4
Beaded Expressions by Mary B4
Benevolent Youth Resource Center, Inc F4
Bimber Wire Works G4
Birth to Three Early Intervention Program A5
C&V Creations B3
Cheyla’s Rescue Foundation, @ Summit Bridge Veterinary Hospital A1
Chhavi Arts A2
Crossan Chick Creations A7/A8
DiLi Creations C3
Easterseals F2
Grey Cats Creations G3
Guild Mortgage D2
Joe’s 3 D C4
Kails Craft Co. D1
Little Bear Dog Care & Training, LLC E2
MadeByMissTish A6
Mjmbooks A3
Natalie’s handmade goods A10
NCC Libraries - Bear Library D3
Ohana Charm C1
Russ’s Angels B1
Scentsy by Jen B2
Shilpi Fine Arts A11
Sit Means Sit C2
Southern Roots Crafts E4
Squid's Stitches & Sketches F3
The Embellished Emporium E3
The Textured Art Studio A12
ToodleBug Design D4
Venturini Creations and Designs F1

Sponsors

Friends of Lums Pond would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors for Pond Fest 2025! Together, we are making an impact. We could not do it without you!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Family Sponsors

Pond Fest Committee

Behind the music, activities, and community spirit of Pond Fest is a team of dedicated volunteers who made it all happen. From booking bands to coordinating vendors, designing merch, reaching out to sponsors, gathering and making raffle items, hands-on setup, and so much more. This group poured their hearts into creating a day for the community to enjoy. We are grateful for their energy, vision, and teamwork — Pond Fest would not be possible without them!

Our 2025 Committee Want to get involved?

We're already looking ahead to Pond Fest 2026. If you'd like to join the planning committee or volunteer your time and talents, stop by the information tent or reach out to us at pondfest@friendsoflumspond.org.

Dear volunteers,

Thank you for your incredible dedication and hard work in making Pond Fest a reality! Your time, energy, and enthusiasm have brought this event to life, and we couldn't have done it without you. Whether you were behind the scenes or front and center during the event, your contributions have created a positive impact on Lums Pond State Park and the community we serve. Your commitment not only helps raise essential funds for the park but also fosters the spirit of togetherness and volunteerism that makes our park and events so special.

Thank you to these amazing humans, our Pond Fest volunteers:

With heartfelt appreciation,
Friends of Lums Pond

Dear guests,

Thank you so much for attending our fundraiser. We hope you enjoy your time in the park. The amount of interest and feedback for this event from the community has been almost overwhelming as if we are all craving something positive and pure to pour our hearts into. Lums Pond holds a special place in all of our hearts and the friends group is incredibly grateful that you support it, too. If it isn't too much trouble, we would greatly appreciate your feedback on your experience today by visiting the survey below. This will help us make sure to continue the things that went well and improve on things that didn't.

Feedback Survey

Thank you for being a friend of Lums Pond.

From all of us,
Friends of Lums Pond

Pond Fest 2025 - hosted by Friends of Lums Pond State Park