Future of Burlington Sound of Music Festival at risk, say organizers

Organizers with the Burlington Sound of Music Festival are raising the alarm about the future of the festival, saying funding cuts are causing significant financial barriers to keeping the event running.

The Sound of Music Festival is the largest free live music event in the region, and has run annually for the last 45 years. Each year, the event attracts over 400,000 people and $25 million in economic impact to Burlington and the surrounding area. Now, its organizers say provincial and federal funding cuts have left them short on the money they need to continue.

“We’ve done everything possible to run lean without sacrificing safety or the quality of the experience,” Dave Shepherd, the festival’s Board of Directors Chair.

“We’ve trimmed costs; over $500,000 has been removed in the last two years, streamlined operations, maximized efficiencies. But we are now at the edge. Without new partners stepping in, we don’t know if we can keep going.”

According to a statement released by organizers on Monday, the federal Heritage Fund used to support Sound of Music with $200,000 annually. Now it only offers them up to $50,000. Similarly, the Experience Ontario Fund has been reduced by half.

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward issued a statement on X, saying she “remain[s] committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our cherished festival, honouring its legacy and roots as a free community event for everyone to enjoy.”

According to the mayor, the city contributes $375,000 per year to the festival. Of that total, $150,000 is a grant, and $225,000 is a repayable loan.

As the future of the festival remains uncertain, officials are calling on community leaders and philanthropists to take action.

“We urgently need a major sponsor or group of sponsors to join us in protecting this treasured event and ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the joy, connection and inclusivity that live music offers,” they said in a statement.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, legacy partnerships and creative collaborations, visit www.soundofmusic.ca

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