Vendors Await Payment After Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in Halifax
Food and service providers for the VIP area of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in Halifax report being owed substantial sums by organizer Trixstar Entertainment, with some considering legal action.
Vendors who provided services for the VIP area of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in Halifax are still waiting for payment from the event’s organizer, Trixstar Entertainment. The festival took place at the Garrison Grounds from August 6 to 9, 2024.
According to reports, several vendors have not received funds for their work. Michelle Kerfoot-Bernava, owner of Mama K’s food truck, stated she invoiced Trixstar Entertainment $28,000 for products provided during the Halifax stop. Jon Norman, operator of Serious Smoke Food Truck, is awaiting payment of $18,000 for food and services. Norman alleged that vendors in the VIP area are collectively owed over $100,000.
Aaron Peck, who operates Pop Up Cinema, also has an outstanding invoice related to a special arrangement to supply popcorn for the festival site. Vendors report experiencing financial strain due to these unpaid invoices and claim they have been "ghosted" by the organizer despite multiple follow-ups.
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival was organized by Trixstar Entertainment and included stops in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver. However, the final show scheduled for September 11-13 in Mississauga, Ont., was abruptly cancelled days before the event.
When contacted by email, Chase Elliott, Trixstar’s manager for the Halifax event, was out of office until October 1. Despite the outstanding debts, the festival continues to advertise shows for the weekend of August 6-8, 2027.
A spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality clarified that the festival was not organized or facilitated by the municipality. They stated that the issue should be addressed directly between the vendors and the organizer. Some vendors are now considering legal action to recover their funds.