Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale

DNREC and the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays host an annual Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale at the James Farm Ecological Preserve, in Ocean View.

The 2026 Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale will be held on May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event highlights the work of each organization to improve Delaware’s wetlands, water and recreational shorelines.

For more information on the event, please contact Olivia Allread, by email at olivia.allread@delaware.gov, or at 302-739-9939.

What’s It All About?

The Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale, which started in 2019, is free and family-friendly. It features “feet-wet, hands-dirty fun,” outdoor recreation and educational opportunities, more than 35 exhibitors, food trucks and a native plant sale.

A group of people browse among a selection of plants at an outdoor plant sale on a sunny spring day. — Browsing among native plants for sale at the 2023 event.

Organizations and nonprofits gather at James Farm and offer a variety of activities and exhibits.

Staff from local plant nurseries are on hand to answer questions on the importance of native species and offer a variety of native plants for sale to the public.

Educational exhibits help people explore environmental topics such as seagrass, shellfish, waves, beaches, wetlands, tax ditches, rain gardens, and more.

Attendees can explore hiking trails, enjoy kids’ activities and hands-on learning or even try paddleboarding and kayaking. There will be a touch-a-boat area for families, and a designated kids’ corner area.

Enjoy Some Local Music

The Homestead Bluegrass band, from Bethany Beach, will bring authentic bluegrass and mountain music to the Water Family Fest and Native Pant Sale.

Event Sponsors

Each year, the Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale features exhibits and activities from nature-based organizations and nonprofits, providing environmental education for all ages.

The Fest is supported by a grant from the Civic Donation Program of the Bethany Beach Landowners Association (BBLA).