Bear Creek Folk Festival - VOLUNTEER

Thanks for your interest in volunteering for the Bear Creek Folk Festival

TEAMS WITH HOURS OUTSIDE OF THE FEST:

SITE NITEHAWKS

This crew works after the sun goes down to ensure there is no mischief or shenanigans on festival site after hours.  They serve as a presence on site – no “security guard” stuff required! (Shifts include two prior to the Festival, one during, and one afterward)

The Job:

• Working AFTER HOURS SHIFTS–Being the eyes and ears on the site

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Be comfortable working overnight shifts

• Previous security experience is an asset, but not required

SET-UP AND TEAR-DOWN TEAM 

This is the crew that is for the “jack of all trades” or for those who are hands on folk!  Ourset-up and tear-down crew is responsible for building the small village that is our home during festival weekend. Job requires good availability in the three days before the fest, and the two days after the fest.

The Job:

• Set up and teardown of site–possible tasks include: tents, fencing, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, forklift operation

• Hauling equipment and materials to and from storage, and around the site

The Musts:

• Daytime availability during the week pre/post fest

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Have a valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract (asset)

• Trades experience (asset)

SITE KITCHEN (PRE/POST FEST) 

Bon appetit! Keep hundreds of volunteers, performers, and special guests happy and fed.  This amazing crew slices, dices, stirs and mixes its way to successful meals for all to enjoy.

The Job:

• Setting up kitchen area

• Prepping food in advance of festival

• Preparation and service of food and drink to the crew pre/post fest

The Musts:

• A minimum of 16 years of age

• Daytime availability during the week pre/post fest

• Okay with food and beverage handling

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Be comfortable with repetitive work

• Cooking and hospitality experience is not required (but experience is an asset).

VOLUNTEER SERVICES PRE/POST FEST TEAM 

Our volunteer services crew is there for our volunteers, checking them in, and providing them with a central hub and hospitality and support.

The Job:

• Handling volunteer check-in

• Distribution of: T-shirts, badges and bracelets

• Assist with communication between crew regarding shifts

• Field general questions

• Coordinate with the Roving Refreshments to ensure that volunteers teams are taken care of

• Record comments / concerns / complaints from volunteers

• Providing runners for general fest needs

The Musts:

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Attention to detail

• Runners must have a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle

FESTIVAL TEAMS:

RAFFLE TICKETS

This crew is in charge of the organization and distribution of the festival 50/50 tickets.

The Job:

• Sell 50/50 tickets to patrons at 50/50 Tent and throughout the site

• Report running total for 50/50 income to production team

• Account for sales at end of shift

The Musts:

• A minimum age 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Cash-handling

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

BEER GARDEN 

Many happy memories are made in the beer garden, and these are the crews that help it all happen.

The Job:

• Bar – Taking tickets, serving/pouring drinks, setting up and the closing bar

• Ticket Sales – Selling tickets while maintaining and accounting for cash sales

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Food and beverage handling

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Cash-handling

• Knowledge of food service and health and safety standards an asset

CANDLE SELLERS

Our nightly mainstage looks out onto a beautiful candle-lit hill. This is the team that makes it happen!

The Job:

• Walk throughout the main site during nightly main stage and sell candles

The Musts:

• A minimum age 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Cash-handling

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

CASH TEAM

This crew is for the accountant in all of us.  If you are organized, good with numbers and have a keen eye for detail, you will feel right at home with the Cash Team.

The Job:

• Handle/pick up/count incoming cash throughout fest

• Cash reconciliation and data entry

• Prepare and distribute cash floats

• Execute artist payouts

• Prepare bank deposit forms

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Cash-handling

• Security clearance will be required

FACE PAINTING

This is the team to thank for the adorable and creatively painted faces walking around the festival.

The Job:

• Organizing of face painting for patrons during the festival

The Musts:

• A minimum of 16 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Experience in face painting or other artistic experience

• Experience working with children

• Vulnerable sector check required

FIRST AID

Accidents happen.  Luckily our trained professionals who volunteer on the First Aid crew, make sure that medical attention is provided as needed, ensuring a safe and happy festival site!

The Job:

• Administering first aid

• Assessment of condition and contacting ambulance, if required

• Prepare incident reports on all non-routine events

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Specialized medical training and certification in one of the following: Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic

GATE CREWS

The Gate Crews are responsible for managing Main Gate and Gate 2, and are generally the first volunteers patrons encounter when arriving at the park. These crews represent the beginning of a great festival!

The Job:

• Taking tickets

• Applying wristbands

• Checking badges

• Will-call and ticket sales (Main gate only)

• Co-ordinating assistance for special needs patrons (Gate 2) 

• Providing info and acting as ambassadors of the fest

• Program sales

The Musts:

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Standing or sitting for periods at a time

• Cash-handling and ticket handling

• An attention to detail, ensuring that all tickets and passes are valid

GOLF CART TEAM

Keep the onsite transport running smoothly!

The Job:

• Maintaining the fest golf cart fleet (keeping them charged and at the ready)

• Shuttling performers around the site

• Assisting patrons with low mobility issues

The Musts:

• Must be over 25 and present clean driver’s abstract

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Be ok sitting for periods of time

GREEN TEAM

Help us keep our site beautiful and clean while getting exercise and taking in the fest!

The Job:

• Pick up and dispose of refuse and recyclables

• Change garbage bags and trash receptacles 

• Monitoring cleanliness of eating areas

• Monitoring toilet paper supplies

The Musts:

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Team members assigned to golf carts must be 25 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s licence with a clean driver’s abstract

INSTRUMENT LOCK-UP

It says it in the name – Locking up instruments is this crew’s game.

The Job:

• Responsible for tagging and storing instruments on site

• Maintaining a level of security in the lock up area

• Transporting artist’s instruments to and from stages

• Working in a friendly and efficient manner

The Musts:

• A minimum age 15 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Ability to climb stairs up to 100 times per shift

• Drivers must be a minimum of 25 years and have a valid driver’s licence with a clean driver’s abstract

INVENTORY TENT

This year we are centralizing a lot on our common-use items and housing them in one tent. This brand new team will organize and run the inventory tent and sign out items as needed.

The Job:

• Responsible for tracking inventory, watching inventory levels, and keeping tent organized

• Maintaining a level of security 

• Signing out items as needed to teams

• Working in a friendly and efficient manner

The Musts:

• A minimum age 18 years of age

• Strong organizational skills

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

KIDS ZONE

The Festival prides itself on being family friendly, and these volunteers are the ones that make it happen year after year! This crew organizes and supervises our popular family area.

The Job:

• Plan, supervise and participate in crafts and games

• Ensure games are age-appropriate and that there is no overcrowding

The Musts:

• A minimum of 16 years of age

• Vulnerable sector check required

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

Assets

• Experience and training in crafts, and child care

• First Aid and CPR

KITCHEN

Bon appetit! Keep hundreds of volunteers, performers, and special guests happy and fed.  This amazing crew slices, dices, stirs and mixes its way to successful meals for all to enjoy.

The Job:

• Setting up kitchen area

• Prepping food in advance of festival

• Preparation and service of food and drink during the festival

• The sub crews include:

  • Beverages

  • Commissary

  • Dessert

  • Main Course

  • Salads

The Musts:

• A minimum of 15 years of age

• Okay with food and beverage handling

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Be comfortable with repetitive work

• Cooking and hospitality experience is not required (but experience is an asset).

MASSAGE TEAM 

We treat our performers right! Our massage team provides free massages to our fest artists.

The Job:

• Helping to set up the massage tent

• Providing free massages to our artists during the festival weekend

• Set up media area

The Musts:

• A minimum of 20 years of age

• Registered massage therapist with current experience

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

MEDIA TEAM 

Festival weekend always proves to be ‘a buzz’, with lots of media personnel trying to capture the action.  The Media crew acts as the middleman, making sure all the magic is captured in an appropriate and controlled manner.

The Job:

• Arrange individual interviews with media

• Help manage social media during the Festival

• Set up media area

• Answer questions about the Festival from media, performers and public

The Musts:

• A minimum of 16 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Proficient in the use of technical devices & equipment

• Knowledge of Festival procedures and policies

• Background in media communications or public affairs

MERCH TEAM

Who doesn’t want to take home a little memorabilia?  This crew helps our patrons get their hands on the yearly Folk Fest t-shirt or the album of their favourite artist!

The Job:

• Set up merch tent displays

• Promote and sell merchandise within the merch tent

• Monitor stock and maintain related records

• Provide good customer service

• Operating the cash registers, credit card / debit machines

• Account for sales at end of shift

• Bag check

• Facilitate artist autograph sessions

The Musts:

• A minimum of 14 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Cash-handling

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

PARKING AND TRAFFIC 

We work to keep our lower parking lot reserved for accessibility parking. This crew ensures the regulation of this traffic as well as maintaining needed parking spots for artist tour buses.

The Job:

• Direct traffic

• Answering questions

• Check for the appropriate parking and vehicle access into designated areas

The Musts:

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Attention to detail

PARTY TEAM

Assist in organizing, setting up and running our our volunteer after party on Saturday, August 19 (9:30pm-4:30am time commitment). This team also moonlights to help out with extra shifts on the Safety and Security Team.

The Job:

• Plan decor and decorate venue

• Coat Check

• Interact with volunteers & festival guests

• Working AFTER HOUR SHIFTS

• Light security

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Okay with food and beverage handling

• Cash-handling

PERFORMER HOSPITALITY

This crew ensures that we live up to our reputation for amazing hospitality for performers and special guests.

The Job:

• Setting up the hospitality area

• Ensuring performers and special guests feel well cared for, including occasional artist transport within the site

• Serving and maintaining food and beverage within the hospitality area

• Monitoring/securing entrance and exit of guests to hospitality area

• Answering general questions

• Making specific arrangements, when necessary

• Ability to identify guests and provide a welcoming environment

• Acting as an ambassador for the festival

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Okay with food and beverage handling

• Cash-handling

• Team members transporting artists must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• Professionalism

PHOTOGRAPHY

This crew is responsible for shooting our favourite festival moments so that we can relive them for years to come.

The Job:

• Follow a designated schedule and capture photos before, during and after the fest

• Provide files with all high res images taken

The Musts:

• A minimum age 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Training and experience in photography

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Professionalism

RADIOS

This crew is responsible for supplying, maintaining and training volunteers for the use communication devices used during festival weekend.

The Job:

• Set-up of site communication centre

• Receive and return of communications equipment

• Take inventory and label devices

• Instruct people on the proper use of radios 

• Distribute radio channels

• Ensure all radios and spare batteries are charged and ready

• Ensure all equipment is signed in and out properly

The Musts:

• A minimum of 18 years of age

• Proficient in the use of technical devices & equipment

REGISTRATION ROOM

Our registration room volunteers greet performers when they arrive and ensure their weekend gets off to the right start

The Job:

• Greeting performers and special guests and fielding general questions

• Organization and distribution of program books, t-shirts, and badges

The Musts:

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Attention to detail

ROVING REFRESHMENTS

At the Folk Fest, our volunteers have each other’s backs.  This team is there to make sure that volunteers stay hydrated and comfortable.

The Job:

• Make rounds of fest site and deliver beverages, snacks, meals, and other required items to and from crew members

The Musts:

• Food and beverage handling

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Some lifting may be required

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The goal of our security crews is to uphold the Spirit of the Festival – a safe environment that is friendly, music-driven, and relaxed, while also ensuring a high standard of professionalism. In short, no one person’s experience should come at the cost of another’s.

The Job:

• Observing and reporting action on site

• Ensuring a safe festival environment

• Security areas include:

  • Liquor Service Area (18+)- Maintains AGLC standards in the beer garden

  • Roving – Monitors festival patrons and chair placement

  • Main Stage – Secures backstage entrances and front of stage

  • Music & Merch – Loss prevention in the merch tents 

  • Perimeter – Secures the fence line around the festival

  • Session Stages – Secures the session stages during both operational and non-operational hours 

  • Volunteer Gate – Maintains the limited access festival entrances and conducts bag check

The Musts:

• A minimum of 15 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Ability to smile

• Be comfortable with conflict resolution

• Uphold a positive festival environment

SHUTTLE TEAM

For those who love to drive. This crew is the first contact for our festival guests arriving by plane, and offers unique experience outside of the festival grounds!

The Job:

• Operate a 12 passenger van

• Shuttle festival artists to and from airport, hotel and fest site

• Assist with travel items

• Interact with festival guests

The Musts:

• A minimum of 25 years of age

• Have a valid driver’s licence with a clean driver’s abstract

• Ability to drive safely with potential distractions

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Be ok sitting for periods of time

SNACK SHACK

This team runs our festival’s fabulous concession stand.

The Job:

• Set up and teardown of concession area

• Customer service (selling hot and cold drinks as well as snacks to the public).

• Maintaining drink and popcorn supply throughout weekend

• Ensuring the adherence to: Health and Safety Regulations

• Tracking sales and supplying reports

The Musts:

• Food and beverage handling

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

• A minimum age of 15

• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Assets:

• Knowledge of Health and Safety Regulations

STAGE CREW

This crew makes sure that everything is in its right place, so that the show can go on!

The Job:

• Set up equipment and instruments including set changes

• Ensure basic hospitality (i.e. water) is provided

The Musts:

• A minimum of 16 years of age

• Physical labour; includes heavy lifting

Assets:

• Proficient in the use of technical devices & equipment

• Knowledge of musical equipment

VIDEOGRAPHY

This crew is responsible for shooting our favourite festival moments so that we can relive them for years to come.

The Job:

• Follow a designated schedule and capture video during the fest

• Provide files with all video taken

The Musts:

• A minimum age 18 years of age

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Training and experience in videography 

• Walking or standing for periods at a time

• Professionalism

• Must have your own equipment

VOLUNTEER TEAM

Our volunteer services crew is there for our volunteers throughout the weekend, checking them in, and providing them with a central hub and hospitality and support.

The Job:

• Handling volunteer check-in

• Distribution of: T-shirts, badges and bracelets

• Assist with communication between crew regarding shifts

• Field general questions

• Coordinate with the Roving Refreshments to ensure that volunteers teams are taken care of

• Record comments / concerns / complaints from volunteers

• Providing runners for general fest needs

The Musts:

• Working with the public; strong interpersonal skills

• Attention to detail

• Runners must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle

• Some roles require light to heavy lifting