Coal Shed Music Festival seeking more funding and volunteers

Thousands attended musical festival over three weekends in 2017

Organizers for a popular event that draws at least 200 musicians for three weekends of free performances on the Yarmouth waterfront are seeking assistance.

Although no entrance fee is charged, monetary donations and non-perishable items for the food bank are welcome at the annual Coal Shed festival.

Phil DeMille, who has organized the event with his wife Janet since it started in 2007, says the nine-day event should be a 12-day event.

“The only reason it isn’t is because we don’t have the money,” he told the Municipality of Yarmouth (MoY) committee of the whole meeting on April 11.

He told councillors the festival is unique and has gained a reputation across Eastern Canada. He says in years to come he’d like to expand the event more and even tie in with the Wharf Rat Rally. Phil DeMille and his wife Janet have organized the Coal Shed Festival since it started in 2007. DeMille recently made a presentation to the Municipality of Yarmouth about the festival.

“We’ve got some really exciting acts for this year,” he said.

He’s been receiving pressure, he said, from others to start charging admission.

“I’ve already told them if they want to charge admission, get somebody else to run the event because it won’t be me,” he said.

“I like this event to appeal to and attract people who work part time in a store, single-parent families – those people should be made to feel as welcome as someone who can afford to walk in and drop a $50 bill in the donation jar.”

He told council that the (waterfront) facility is not designed to charge admission.

However, with the loss of two of their major sponsors this year, more funding is needed.

“We’re frantically trying to regain that loss,” he said, adding the festival is a major fundraiser for two organizations, the food bank, which has volunteers on site during performances to accept donations, and the school breakfast program.

During the festival, performers cover a wide genre of music. There are kitchen parties, songwriting and instrument-building seminars, in addition to the talent on the stage.

In its list of grants to organizations listed on its website, the Town of Yarmouth granted $8,080 to the Coal Shed Music Festival.

The festival has a significant impact on the local economy, said DeMille.

It’s also a good opportunity to spotlight talent, with professionals and newcomers participating.

Musicians have called DeMille in the past wanting to come back the following year.

“To me, that’s the telltale right there. We pay very low wages to these musicians who perform. They do it because they believe in what we’re doing and they see it as a great opportunity,” he said.

“It’s more than a hobby with us. We really feel that it’s providing a service to the community.”

Last year the Municipality of Yarmouth provided $1,000 to the festival. This year, organizers have asked the municipality for double that amount. DeMille is also looking for hosts to act as emcees on stage and for other duties.

“The first two or three years I tried to do it all myself. I never worked so hard in all my life… and I grew up on a farm,” he said.