Burlington Committee Backs Review of Waterfront Festival's Viability

Burlington’s Committee of the Whole recommended a review of the Burlington Waterfront Festival and suggested it be classified as a food truck festival. This recommendation, which passed on September 14, prevents the festival’s renewal for 2027 from being finalized until the review is complete. Brian Dean, executive director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association, stated that the July festival lacked expected programming, such as live music and midway attractions, and functioned primarily as a food truck event.

The move questions the operational model of the festival in Burlington. The BDBA contended that the organizer, RoadShow Events, has close associations with the executive director of Canadian Food Truck Festivals Inc., raising concerns that the applicant failed to deliver promised programming.