Koi Fest 2025: Behind the Scenes of the Biggest Koi Event in America
Sep 22nd 2025
Every August, our farm in Milford becomes something extraordinary. What began four years ago as an idea for an end-of-season sale has grown into Koi Fest — the largest koi event in the United States. Today, Koi Fest isn’t just about fish; it’s about people, culture, and the passion that goes into organizing a celebration of this magnitude.
For our team, the event starts long before the first guest arrives. In the early hours of August 23rd, while most of the world was still asleep, over 130 Fitz’s Fish Ponds staff members were already busy. Tanks were being filled, koi were carefully moved from their shelters to display vats, vendor setups were being prepared, and food trucks were pulling into place. By sunrise, the farm was alive with activity, and by 9 a.m.—even before the official opening—a line of excited guests was gathered at the entrance.
Behind the Scenes: How We Prepare for Koi Fest 2025
This year’s Koi Fest drew over 1,300 pre-registered visitors from across the U.S. and even overseas. The festival was at least 25% larger than last year, and it showed. Months of planning went into everything: coordinating with more than 20 vendors, scheduling and training staff to handle Koi Fest-related tasks, exemplifying the true meaning of wearing multiple hats at Fitz’s Fish Ponds, organizing check-in and parking for hundreds of vehicles, executing an internship program, and more—including ensuring that every koi — some valued at over $8,000 — was displayed in pristine condition.
“Pulling off Koi Fest requires all of us doing our best, and it’s on days like this that the strength of our team is most clear and most appreciated,” says Lauren Nolan, Vice President of Fitz’s Fish Ponds.
Our staff worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. The fish team continuously monitored water parameters. Logistics crews transported supplies and set up signage. Our aquatic plants team brought in aquatic and house plants from our Saddle River store. Retail associates helped with koi and product sales, answering questions from both new pond owners and experienced collectors. Rae Cauley, FFP’s Graphic Designer, also took on her mural role and did a live painting during the event! By the time guests were choosing koi, listening to live music, or enjoying tacos and ice cream, the behind-the-scenes operation was in full motion.
Koi Fest Special Access Night: Exclusive Tours & Dinner
The weekend kicked off with Special Access Night, a Friday evening event for those wanting a closer connection to our farm and koi. For $200, guests toured our facilities with our team, gaining a better understanding of what it takes to raise and care for some of the country’s top koi. The evening concluded with our Special Access Welcome Dinner, catered by Tokyo Hibachi and SEP Events. Their dragon-themed grill and sushi display complemented this year’s Aragoke theme, adding flair to an already memorable start.
Koi Fest Saturday Highlights: Auctions, Food & Entertainment
On Saturday, the grounds burst into the full Koi Fest experience. Thousands of koi were on display, from young tosai to jumbo champions. Our exclusive auction sparked excitement as collectors searched for koi fish to buy and bid on high-value fish, with koi normally priced at $5,000 to $8,000 selling for as low as $2,000 to $3,000. Over $10,000 in pond products and accessories were given away throughout the day, with the biggest prize — a free koi buying trip to Japan — once again drawing cheers from the crowd.
But Koi Fest is about more than just koi. Guests enjoyed dishes from 22 West, Tia B’s Street Tacos, Q-Crew BBQ, and Q-Bros Ice Cream & Italian Ice. Local wine flowed, courtesy of Wine Library, while vendors like Evolution Aqua, Koi Trips USA, Microbe Lift, Atlantic Oase, Maple Leaf Bonsai, Mid-Atlantic Koi Club, and FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping showcased the latest innovations to our community.
Adding star power to the day, Adam Richman, host of Man vs. Food, acted as MC. He helped us announce giveaways, mingled with fans, and gave glowing reviews of the food — proving that Koi Fest is as much a foodie experience as it is a koi showcase.
Tri-State ZNA Koi Show at Koi Fest 2025
Of course, one of the true highlights was the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show, held on our grounds in partnership with the Tri-State chapter of ZNA. Walking past rows of blue vats, visitors were face-to-face with koi that rivaled those seen at international competitions. Judges from around the world evaluated koi on conformation, skin luster, color intensity, and pattern balance.
This year’s show was especially memorable, featuring the All American Koi Show Grand Champion and the 90-bu champion from the All Japan Koi Show. For hobbyists, it was a lesson in quality. For collectors, it was an opportunity to compete at the highest level. For newcomers, it was simply awe-inspiring — many seeing koi over 30 inches long for the first time. A big thank you to Hikari for sponsoring the Koi Show.
Koi Fest 2025 Banquet & Closing Celebrations
When the gates closed at 4 p.m., our team’s work didn’t stop. Within hours, the entire festival space was transformed into a banquet area for the Tri-State ZNA Koi Show Banquet. Catered by 22 West, the evening featured passed appetizers, glowing lights under the tent, and a festive atmosphere as awards were handed out and our staff, guests, and koi club members celebrated another successful event!
Gratitude and Growth
Koi Fest 2025 would not have been possible without our sponsors' support. Atlantic Oase led as our Platinum Sponsor, with Gold Sponsors including Unity Bank, Microbe Lift, Evolution Aqua USA, Profi Drum USA, and Koi Trips USA. Silver Sponsors such as Pond Potions, Performance Pro, Predatory Fins, and Maple Leaf Bonsai, along with Bronze Sponsors like Dot Fitzsimmons, Easy Pro, Aqua Meds, POND Trade, Elevate, Twisted Ink, Fly Green Charters, C&A Financial, Wine Library, and Eternal Ember, each contributed to the success of the event. Purple-level supporters including FFP Pond Pros & Fish Health, Mid-Atlantic Koi Club, Sophie Screenprinting, and FFP Aquariums & Aquascaping rounded out the vendor experience.
Koi Fest 2025 Winners & Show Highlights
This year’s Tri-State ZNA Koi Show at Koi Fest 2025 showcased world-class koi and fierce competition in Milford, NJ. The Grand Champion A title was awarded to Herbert Fritch for his stunning over 30" Showa, while Andrew Sandler claimed Grand Champion B with a Kinginrin B of the same size. Other notable winners included James Profanato’s Kohaku and Michael McHugh’s Showa, both demonstrating that the koi on display meet international standards. From Baby Champions to the impressive Jumbo Award, each winner displayed the dedication, artistry, and passion that make koi keeping such a meaningful pursuit.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Guests like Yvo de Wal highlighted how special Koi Fest is by saying, “absolutely no one else is doing this.” For us, those words are the highest reward after months of planning and countless hours of preparation. We are proud of what our team achieved — from the smallest detail in setup to the final award handed out at the banquet.
Brian Fitzsimmons, CEO and founder of Fitz’s Fish Ponds, reflects, “Koi Fest is about passion, people, and ponds. Our team pours their heart into it, and the community embraces it — that’s why this event keeps growing every year.”
Next year, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Koi Fest, and we already know it will be even bigger. The koi, the culture, the food, the music, and the people — all contribute to what makes this festival more than just koi. It’s our passion. It’s our community. It’s Koi Fest.
