Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Organizer Trixstar Productions Declares Bankruptcy
Trixstar Productions Ltd., the company behind the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, has filed for bankruptcy after more than 20 years in operation. Food vendors from the August Halifax event say they are owed tens of thousands of dollars, and MNP Ltd. has been appointed as the licensed insolvency trustee to handle creditor claims and ticket refunds.
Trixstar Productions Ltd., the organizer of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, announced on Friday that it has gone into bankruptcy due to significant financial challenges and an inability to establish a financially sustainable path forward. The company had operated entertainment experiences for more than 20 years.
Mike Anderson is the founder and president of Trixstar Productions Ltd. Vendors reported a lack of contact from Trixstar management, including Anderson and Chase Elliott, for over a month prior to the bankruptcy announcement.
Food vendors claim they were not paid following the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival held at Garrison Grounds in Halifax from Aug. 6-9. Michelle Kerfoot-Bernava, owner of Mama K’s food truck, stated she invoiced Trixstar $28,000 for product provided at the Halifax festival. Kerfoot-Bernava alleged that VIP food vendors collectively provided $100,000 worth of product and that customers paid on site, meaning funds were collected by Trixstar. Small businesses reported being unable to monitor money collected via Trixstar's point-of-sale system. Jon Norman, operator of Serious Smoke Food Truck, stated he was awaiting payment of $18,000 for food and services. Food vendors face long-term financial losses and operational changes, such as opening takeout services.
The company abruptly postponed a show in September in Ontario and cancelled its festival in Mississauga with three days' notice. Employees, suppliers, artists, partners, and fans face uncertainty and hardship as a result of the collapse.
MNP Ltd. has been appointed as the licensed insolvency trustee to handle questions regarding outstanding payments, creditor claims, and tickets. Ticket inquiries are directed to MNP Ltd. for an Edmonton event scheduled for July 18 that was evacuated due to a storm, the cancelled Mississauga festival, and 2027 festivals planned for locations including Moncton, New Brunswick; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Bedford, Nova Scotia. Customers holding tickets for past and future events must seek refunds through the insolvency trustee.