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. Additionally, Ocean Fest hosts Oysterpalooza each fall—a ticketed charity event to further our philanthropic efforts to protect our coastal environment and to keep the flagship Ocean Fest experience largely free for all to enjoy.
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.
Read more about our grants program here.
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
Kelly Molina - 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.
Penn Newhard
Penn is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Backbone Media, the nation’s premier active lifestyle marketing agency. An expert in public relations, media, and marketing, Penn has built an impressive client portfolio featuring many of the world’s most popular outdoor brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Columbia Sportswear.
Ilene Anders - Secretary
Serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a multi-billion-dollar financial services company, Ilene has over two decades of industry expertise which she brings to the Board. Ilene currently sits on several boards. While she dabbles in surfing, you will more likely find her running on the sands of Surf City.
Josh Kendrick
Josh spent over 20 years with Red Bull USA, most recently working as the Head of Athlete Marketing & Performance. He currently serves as the VP of Marketing and Communication for SRAM. Josh is a lifelong surfer dedicated to giving back to what he loves.