Food Truck Vendors Claim Over $60,000 Owed by Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Organizers
Three food truck vendors allege that Trixstar, the organizer of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in Halifax, owes them a combined total exceeding $60,000. The dispute follows the festival's conclusion in August and coincides with Trixstar's abrupt cancellation of a similar event in Mississauga.
Three food truck operators are seeking payment from the organizers of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, claiming they are owed a combined total of more than $60,000. The festival, produced by Trixstar, took place at Citadel Hill's Garrison Grounds in Halifax from August 6 to 9.
Michelle Kerfoot Bernava, owner of Mama K's food truck, states she is owed nearly $29,000 for sales generated during the event. Jonathan Norman, who operates Serious Smoke Food Truck, estimates his outstanding balance is at least $14,000 before tips. A third vendor, who spoke to CBC News on condition of anonymity, reported being owed more than $19,000.
The vendors report that communication with Trixstar has ceased. According to the operators, automated replies from the company indicated it could not provide individual updates on account balances due to high volume. This lack of response has led some vendors to call for a boycott of the festival and to seek intervention from Parks Canada.
Parks Canada stated that it is up to the vendors to deal with Trixstar directly regarding unpaid bills. The payment dispute arises shortly after Trixstar abruptly cancelled its festival in Mississauga, Ontario, in early September with only three days' notice. The Halifax event featured comedians such as Matt Rife, Nikki Glaser, Fortune Feimster, and John Mulaney, with attendance reaching 22,000 on Friday night.