A local music festival, the Food for the Ears Festival, is set to take place from Friday through Saturday at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. Its primary aim is to raise funds for Feed Nova Scotia, a charity that addresses food insecurity in the region. This year's festival promises a vibrant lineup of local artists, including renowned performers such as Public Service, Rankin MacInnis, and Broken Eeeds, alongside the 2026 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) winner for Release of the Year, Elyse Aeryn.
This marks the fourth year of the Food for the Ears Festival, which was initially launched in 2023 by then-16-year-old Ethan Chitty. The event started as a fundraising initiative for a food bank located in Truro. Over its first two years, the festival managed to raise $2,300 in 2023 and $3,000 in 2024. These efforts helped to raise awareness and funds for local food security issues.
In response to growing interest and support, organizers relocated the festival to Halifax last year after officially registering as a non-profit organization. In its first year in Halifax, the festival was able to generate $3,500 for Feed Nova Scotia, evidencing its expanding impact within the community. The festival's trajectory indicates a positive trend in fundraising, with aspirations to exceed $8,000 in contributions this year.
The full lineup, along with ticketing information, is available on the festival's official website. Notably, 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales will be directly donated to Feed Nova Scotia, reinforcing the festival's commitment to supporting local initiatives. The community is encouraged to attend and support this meaningful cause while enjoying a diverse range of musical performances.
The Food for the Ears Festival not only highlights local talent but also serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in addressing food insecurity. As it enters its fourth year, the festival continues to build on its legacy of giving back and uplifting the community through music and collaboration.
