Volunteer Opportunities

CLICK HERE to sign up as a volunteer. If you have any questions, please email the festival director. To volunteer, we must have an original, signed RELEASE WAIVER on file. Instructions are on the RELEASE WAIVER page. 

There are 10 areas where we need volunteer support to make the festival fun and safe for everyone. Volunteers will check-in 15 minutes prior to their shift at the Check-In tent. A training/walk-through meeting will be held at Riverwalk Park on Friday the 26^th at 6:00 PM.

1. TEAM PRACTICES (Saturday 20th - Friday 26th)

JOB: Help hold dragon boats during team loading and off-loading. Standing, walking and bending.

LOCATION: Main dock, Riverwalk Park

MANPOWER: 8 per shift (we would welcome anyone who could only help for a partial shift)

• Saturday 20th - 7:30 to 11:30, Noon to 3, and 3 to 7
• Sunday 21st - Noon to 3 and  3 to 7
• Monday thru Friday -  4:15 to 6:30 (if you can only make a partial shift that too will be helpful)

2. PRE-FESTIVAL DAY SET-UP CREW (FRIDAY 26^TH)

JOB: Help teams move and set up tents, coolers, chairs, etc. from the Coosa St. Drop off to their reserved area. Hang banners and set up festival tents.This is an active position and involved walking, lifting, carrying. We will have ATV vehicles to move heavy items.

LOCATION: Riverwalk Park, check-in with Suzanna Wasserman upon arrival.

MANPOWER: 10 per shift

• 11:00 - 1:00
• 1:00 - 3:00
• 3:00 - 6:00

3. FESTIVAL SET-UP CREW

JOB: Help teams move coolers, chairs, etc. from the Coosa St. Drop off to their team tent area. This is an active position and involved walking, lifting, carrying. We will have ATV vehicles to move heavy items. Should be done by 8:45

LOCATION: Athletes Village & Coosa St. Drop-off point

MANPOWER: 1 Shift, 20 Total

• 6:30-9:00

3. GREETERS

JOB: welcome teams and the public at the park entrance. Board members from the two organizing charities will work along side the greeters. Standing or seated at tented area.

LOCATION: Tables, chairs and tents will be placed at the bottom of the main entrance tunnel in the park. 

MANPOWER: 4 per shift

• 7:00-10:00am
• 10:00-1:00pm
• 1:00-4:00pm

4. CHECK-IN

JOB: check in-team captains and distribute team wristbands and festival t-shirts. Supported by 4 members of Bridge Builders. Standing or seated at tented area.

LOCATION: Two adjoining tents located near the tunnel.

MANPOWER: 1 shift, 7:00-9:00am

5. BOAT MARSHALING

JOB: There will be 5 dragon boats racing while 5 boats offload and reload. 2 dock marshals will hold each boat and assist with off/on loading. Minimum age 21. Standing, bending required, in sun and shade.

LOCATION: on the docks.

MANPOWER: 10 per shift 

• 8:00-10:00am
• 10:00-12:00pm
• 12:00-2:00pm
• 2:00-4:00pm

6. TEAM MARSHALING

JOB: 2 marshals per team to escort teams from “double on-deck” area to “on-deck waiting area” and when signaled to their boat to assist with on/off loading. 2 marshals will help manage the “double on-deck” area where teams switch off life jackets. Minimum age 21. Standing, walking, bending required, in sun and shade.

LOCATION: Rotation from pre-marshaling area to the docks and back to pre-marshaling.

MANPOWER: 12 per shift

• 8:00-10:00am
• 10:00-12:00pm
• 12:00-2:00pm
• 2:00-4:00pm

7. FESTIVAL INFORMATION TENTS

JOB: Provide assistance and information to teams and public traffic. Standing and sitting.

LOCATION: Three tented locations in the park. 

MANPOWER: 6 per shift (2 per tent)

• 7:00-10:00am
• 10:00-1:00pm
• 1:00-4:00pm

8. ATHLETE’S HOSPITALITY

JOB: Work at the Athletes Hospitality Tent to keep tables stocked with food and beverages for festival participants (identifiable by wristbands). Mostly standing and some lifting.

LOCATION: Athletes Hospitality - fully tented.

MANPOWER: 2 per shift 

• 8:00-11:00am
• 11:00-2:00pm
• 2:00-4:00 pm

9. CHILDREN'S VILLAGE

JOB: Help maintain order and safety in the Children’s Village. Staff members will manage the inflatables, so volunteers just need to be available to lend a helping hand to our little dragons. These volunteers will be well supported by 15 members of Bridge Builders Alabama program and Huntingdon sororities. Walking and sitting

LOCATION: Children’s Village at the splash pad - some tenting.

MANPOWER: 3 per shift 

• 8:00-11:00am
• 11:00-2:00pm
• 2:00-4:00pm 

10. VIP

JOB: Generally be available to help move chairs or answer questions. Standing and sitting.

LOCATION: VIP Area - mostly tented.

MANPOWER: 2 per shift.

• 8:00-11:00am
• 11:00-2:00pm
• 2:00-4:00pm

11. STAGE SUPPORT

JOB: Assist during awards ceremonies with medals, paddle awards, etc.

LOCATION: main stage - mostly tented. 

MANPOWER:  2 at shift #1, 4 at shift #2

• 11:00-1:00pm (2 volunteers)
• 3:00-4:30pm (4 volunteers)