Fourth annual Impact Festival to take place Sept. 6 at Bridgeville Public Library

The fourth annual Impact Festival will be held at the Bridgeville Public Library on Sept. 6. The Impact Festival, created by Chase Marvil and his organization The Inspiring Project, was originally created in order to raise awareness for mental health, to try to stop bullying, and to spread positivity back in 2014, and has continued to grow over a decade later.

“When we first held the Impact Festival, it was a simple idea; bring the community together for a fun day and raise awareness for mental health and scholarships,” Marvil said, looking back at his first Impact Festival. “Back then, it was small, grassroots, and we were just grateful to see families and friends come out to support.”

Marvil continued by stating that since then, the festival has grown tremendously, not only in size, but in spirit. A large part of that is thanks to the Bridgeville Library and the generosity of sponsors and community partners. “We’ve gone from just a few vendors and activities to hosting a full lineup of local businesses, food trucks, live entertainment, and our Adventure Park inflatables that have become a tradition for kids,” Marvil said. “Each year we’ve refined little things, like parking, flow, and vendor layouts, but we’ve also added major features that make the event bigger and more meaningful.”

Shown is an aerial of last year’s Impact Festival, which took place in August outside the Bridgeville Public Library.

Marvil also stated that while the festival has seen a lot of changes, the heart behind it has not. “Whether it was 100 people in the beginning or the larger crowds we see today, the goal has always been the same: to create an uplifting, safe space for the community to come together and to support causes that truly matter. Watching it grow from a hopeful idea into an annual tradition for so many families has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. This year, people can look forward to a full day of positivity and good vibes, an Adventure Park with inflatables for kids, and a wide variety of vendors and food trucks that showcase the best of our local community. Marvil also mentioned they will be welcoming a live entertainment juggling act by Guinness World Record holder Cascading Carlos. “Putting everything together is definitely a process—it takes months of planning,” Marvil explained. “From reaching out to vendors and securing sponsors, to coordinating logistics with the town and the library, every detail matters. It starts with sending that first round of outreach months in advance, then slowly piecing together the puzzle; who’s confirmed, what spaces they’ll be in, and how to make the flow of the event as smooth as possible.” Marvil stated that while it’s a lot of work, it’s incredibly rewarding.

For Marvil, he said his favorite part of the festival and what he most looks forward to is seeing the community come together. “Every year, I love watching families walk through the gates, kids running around with face paint and a snow cone, people stopping at vendor booths, and just the overall energy of the day,” Marvil said. “It’s that sense of connection that makes all the work worth it.”

This year, the planning of the festival saw some different changes and challenges, with the event being moved to September instead of May requiring coordination with vendors at different times and finalizing details earlier. “One of the biggest achievements has been the continued response from local businesses and community members who wanted to be part of it,” Marvil continued. “Knowing that so many people believe in the mission of the festival and want to support it really shows how far we’ve come. The library has been a huge help as well.”

Besides the Impact Festival, Marvil has also been invited to speak at DelTech’s Social Media Conference. “When I found out I was invited to speak at the Social Media Conference, I was honestly both honored and humbled. It felt like a full-circle moment. I had been emailing the organizers for a few weeks on questions but found out through the official website announcement, and it was one of those surreal, pinch-yourself kind of moments,” Marvil explained. Marvil also said that the skills he’s learned over the years in marketing, especially in social media management and small business growth, have been critical to both his professional life as well as The Inspiring Project.

“If it wasn’t for social media, The Inspiring Project nor me would be where we are today,” Marvil explained. “What’s changed recently is the way AI fits into that. Using AI tools has streamlined the way I plan, create, and manage content, freeing up more time to focus on authentic connection. That balance of strategy and technology is exactly what’s helped The Inspiring Project grow—from reaching half a million people online to bringing the community together in person at events like the Impact Festival.”

As mentioned, Marvil estimated last year that they had reached over 500,000 people through The Inspiring Project. “I’d say that estimate still holds up, and honestly, the reach continues to grow every year,” Marvil said. “What started as a small idea has become something that’s touched lives not only across the U.S. but in different corners of the world. This past year was especially meaningful because we celebrated The Inspiring Project’s 10-year milestone.”

Marvil continued by saying that looking back on a decade of impact was humbling, but it also reminded him how much more there is to do. “On a local level, one of my proudest moments was awarding three new students scholarships this past spring,” Marvil said. “Knowing that the festival helps make opportunities like that possible is what keeps me going.”

Marvil also thanked those that supported him and helped put on the Impact Festival, including Karen Kemp and the entire staff at the Bridgeville Library, the town of Bridgeville, All Blown Up Inflatables, Bay to Beach Builders, The Parker Group, and Weller’s Utility Trailers for their continued support.

“I also couldn’t do any of this without the encouragement of my friends, family, and the entire community,” Marvil said. “Their belief in The Inspiring Project and the Impact Festival is what keeps this going year after year.”

Finally, Marvil stated that “if there’s one thing I’d add, it’s that the festival isn’t just an event; it’s a reminder of what happens when a community rallies around a cause bigger than themselves. Every wristband purchased, every vendor who sets up, every person who shows up to enjoy the day contributes to scholarships and mental health initiatives that truly change lives. For that, I’ll always be grateful.”