The Word On The Street Festival offers a variety of work experience for volunteers who want to help us make this year’s festival a success. It’s a great opportunity to be part of one of the largest outdoor festivals in Lethbridge and to contribute to your community. There is plenty of work to be done! And it can’t be done without your help — we would be nothing without our dedicated and enthusiastic team of volunteers.

We will be holding a volunteer orientation on Tuesday, September 19th at 6:30 pm, at the Main Branch Library in the Community Meeting Room.

Here’s where we need help:

Site set-up  (6-8 Volunteers) 8:00 – 11:00 am 

You will be involved with the set-up of:

• Chairs and tables in exhibitor and author tents
• Placing and hanging signs
• Set-up of smaller rented tents
• Helping the Friends of the LPL bring out books for their display
• other things as required

You’ll be given a map that will outline how many tables/chairs are needed in each tent as well as layouts of the tents and stages.

Exhibitor Set-up  (3-4 Volunteers) 8:00-11:00 am

Your job is to guide exhibitors to their proper booth within the marketplace tents and help them carry items to their space if needed. We will also require some people to direct vehicles while exhibitors are unloading in order to ensure everyone’s safety. This is especially important in the food area as the food trucks/carts can get quite large. You will also be answering any questions they might have.

Information Tent  (3 Volunteers and 3 Staff)  Shift work: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; 12:00 – 2:30 pm; 2:30 – 5:00 pm

The information tent area will be marked on the Event Guide Map you will receive upon arrival. You will be paired with a Library staff member for these shifts.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Directing festival guests and answering questions about the schedule, map, authors, etc.
• Handing out Event Guide programs, survey leaflets and scavenger hunt cards.
• Getting festival guests prizes for the scavenger hunt and completed surveys.

Walkarounds and Crowd Counting  (8 Volunteers) Shift work: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm; 2:00 – 5:00 pm 

You’ll be counting the crowd. The day of the festival you’ll be given a map that shows the different counting zones, as well as, a schedule of when you need to complete the counts. It is difficult to count a crowd of people, so just do your best. DO NOT count festival guests at the performance stage area.

Other tasks:

• Encouraging festival guests to participate in upcoming author talks, workshops and activities.
• Directing festival guests and answering their questions.
• Handing out programs, survey leaflets and scavenger hunt cards.
• Answer exhibitor questions and check in with them periodically to assess any needs.
• Change overflowing garbage bags if necessary

Face Painting  (12 Volunteers – 4 each shift) Shift work: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm; 1:00 – 3:00 pm; 3:00 – 5:00 pm 

Face-painting is offered for free to festival guests. Volunteers are asked to work at whatever your skill/comfort level is.

Some Alberta Health Services regulations to note:

• A combination of water/antiseptic will be provided for you. Leave the face painting brushes soaking in this mixture whenever not in use
• Alternate brushes between festival patrons, so that the brush you just used will have time to soak in the water/antiseptic mixture before being used again
• Both hand sanitizers and a hand washing station will be provided for you. Please sanitize your hands between each festival guest and, if your hands get visibly soiled, use the washing station to clean them.

Site Clean-Up  (8-10 Volunteers)  5:00 – 7:00 pm

You will be involved with the clean-up and removal of:

• Chairs and tables from tents
• Signage
• Smaller rented tents
• Books from the Friends of the LPL Book Sale
• other things as required

Please fill out the form if you’re interested in helping for 2023!