Volunteer at the WGBH FunFest

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In New England, it’s never too cold to start thinking about ice cream and summer fun! The WGBH FunFest, a day of ice cream and music, returns Saturday, July 14 from 10am-4pm at WGBH Studios in Brighton. This fun-filled community event will feature ice cream from some of your favorite local vendors and live music performances by family-friendly artists. Kids will have the chance to play carnival games, jump on moonbounces, get their faces painted, and interact with beloved PBS characters!

Please review all FunFest volunteer position descriptions listed below and email Volunteer & Marketing Manager Jaime Reese at jaime_reese@wgbh.org if you’d like to help. Please make sure to include the following information in your email response:

• Your full name
• Top 3 volunteer positions in order of preference (e.g. costume character, costume handler, floater, etc.). ** If you’d like to be a costume character, please note your character preference based on size requirements provided below)
• Preferred shift (Friday, July 13, from 2-7pm; or Saturday, July 14, 9am-1pm (staggered arrival times), 12:30-5pm, or full day)

Date: SET-UP on Friday, July 13 from 2-7pm

Set-up Volunteer: Work with WGBH Event Production Team to bring event items and supplies from inside One Guest Street to WGBH’s visitor parking lot; staple tablecloths to vendor and activity tables; and set-up signage and tarps.

Date: EVENT DAY on Saturday, July 14

Admission (9am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Sell FunFest tickets, check names off RSVP list; collect email ticket receipts and groupons; and help with line management.

Admission Line Hospitality (9am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Help manage admission lines. Offer free ice cream and water to those waiting in line. Distribute event maps and point guests in the right direction.

Community Ambassador (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Run the community ambassador table during the event, encourage guests to complete a brief survey for a chance to win a WGBH prize. Must be a current WGBH Volunteer for 2+ years to qualify for this position.

Concession Stand (9am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Make and distribute popcorn or cotton candy to event guests.

Costume Character (9am-4:30pm): Wear a costume (see below) and interact with guests.

• Arthur (5’4"-5’9", average build)
• Clifford (5’4"-5’9", average build)
• Curious George (5’1"-5’3", average build)
• Super Why (5"6" to 5'8", medium build)
• Peg (5’0" to 5’3", average build)
• Cat (5’0" to 5’3", average build)
• Woofster (5’6" to 5’10", medium build)

Costume Handler (9am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Assist with character preparation backstage; escort costume character around the venue; and speak on behalf of the character.

Costume Line Manager (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Oversee line for photographs with costume characters.

Exit Volunteer (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Stand by North Beacon Street exit to ensure no one enters and let guests know about exit behind the stage area.

Face Painter (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Design simple color images on kids’ faces. **Sample drawings will be provided as examples.

Food Truck Line Manager (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Help manage food truck lines.

Food Sampler (9:45am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Distribute food and beverage samples to event guests.

Freezer Truck Runner (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Make sure ice cream is going to the correct vendor table. **Volunteers should be able to comfortably lift 30-40 pounds if necessary.

Ice Cream Scooper (9:15am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Serve delicious ice cream (provided by our generous vendors) to hungry guests in the mood for a refreshing sweet treat on a hot summer day.

Kids’ Carnival Games (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Provide guests with game instructions; help manage line and distribute prizes.

Kids’ Coloring Station (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Volunteers will keep the coloring area tidy; encourage kids to draw; and hang up artwork.

Merchandise Assistant (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Provide excellent customer service to our guests as they shop for event keepsakes.

Moonbounce Patrol (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Help maintain moonbounce order; group kids by age to ensure safety; manage line; and keep track of jump time to keep line moving.

Parking Volunteer (9:30am-1pm): Wave to traffic on One Guest Street; direct cars inside garage for event parking.

Photographer (9:45am-1pm or 12:45-4:15pm): Take pictures of Main Stage performances, guests posing with costume characters or rove around event venue to capture various FunFest activities. **Photographers, please send samples of your work to be considered.

Photographer Assistant (9:45am-1pm or 12:45-4:15pm): Walk with photographers during the event, record names of people in posed pictures and ask guests in photos to fill out appearance release forms as needed.

Water Cooler Volunteer (9:30am-1pm or 12:30-5pm): Refill water jugs; replenish cup supply; make sure guests know water is available - and stay hydrated!