About - Ocean Fest

Our Story

Ocean Fest was founded in 2019 by three surfing buddies who can usually be found riding the waves of Surf City, NC. The motivation behind the event was to share our love for the ocean, celebrate the pure joy of surfing, and, most importantly, give something meaningful back to Mother Ocean.

Ocean Fest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax ID 87-2990341.

The Fest

Annually in May, in the heart of the quaint southern beach town, Surf City, NC, Ocean Fest brings together tens of thousands of festival-goers for a weekend-long celebration of music, art, surfing and coastal culture. Stay tuned for community activation – Give Back Nights with our great partners and POP up events. Be sure to sign up for our email list to be First to Know.

Highlights

Music festival featuring top-flight touring bands
Vintage surf experience
Curated vendor market and eco exhibitors
Local food trucks and beverage vendors
Green event: zero plastic, recycling/composting, and strict sustainability requirements
Kids zone

“Festival of the Year”

2023, North Carolina Festivals & Events

“Best Green Event”

2023 & 2024, Southeast Festivals & Events

gIVING bACK

Giving back is at the very root of Ocean Fest. Proceeds from our annual festival are always shared in the form of Board-approved monetary grants—the Ocean Fest Grants Program funds like-minded nonprofit organizations working to protect our precious marine environments. Over the last several years, we have awarded over $140,000 in grants.

Team Ocean Fest

AKA the folks who work tirelessly year-round to make Ocean Fest happen!

Liz Trojan – Event Co-Director

Aaron Flahardy – Event Co-Director

Mark Boyle – Operations

Jill Bankus – Operations

Rich Beatty – Security

Jan Farmer – Sustainability

Rachel Carter – Volunteers

Rachel Carter – Vendors

Lila Wilkinson – Content

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AKA the folks who steer the ship and oversee the Ocean Fest Grants Program

Mark Anders

Chairman / Co-Founder

Happily addicted to surfing, Mark makes a point of getting into the ocean daily. When he’s not in the water, Mark is busy bringing new creative projects to life as an award-winning writer, photographer, and filmmaker. He served as the organization’s Executive Director from 2019-2023 and currently sits as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mark sees Ocean Fest as a way to give something meaningful back to Mother Ocean.

Cory Sydes

Co-Founder

Cory is an area local, avid surfboard collector, founder of the Topsail Island Longboard Association, and Store Manager at Home Depot. He helped to launch Ocean Fest in 2019 and continues to oversee its success today through the Board and his contributions to the organization’s year-round operations.

Cody Leutgens

Co-Founder

Cody is a Surf City native, an esteemed resident ripper, founder of Surf City Surf School, and co-owner of the local favorite eatery Shaka Taco. He helped launch Ocean Fest in 2019, and today, he brings his local business expertise and love for his hometown and all things surfing to the team.

Steve Pasquantonio

Treasurer

As co-owner of the beloved local institution Daddy Mac’s Beach Grill and North Shore Juice, Steve brings authentic community ties and business expertise to the Board. A surfer, longtime local, and former biology school teacher, Steve views Ocean Fest as a way to give back to what he loves most.

Luke Anders

Secretary

Luke was integral to Ocean Fest’s strategic growth from its inception, playing a key role in developing the organization’s brand strategy and executing marketing initiatives that drove regional growth and recognition. As a marketer at a Fortune 50 consumer goods company, Luke brings both deep organizational knowledge of Ocean Fest and professional marketing expertise to the Board.