Be a Volunteer at Ithaca Festival
VOLUNTEER Today!
Join us in making magic happen at one of Ithaca’s most cherished events! Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to give back to your community while helping the Festival run smoothly. Whether you're assisting artists, or selling merch, every role makes a difference.
Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also signed up for the same shift. Every volunteer will receive a limited-edition 2024 Festival Volunteer t-shirt and an entry into our grand prize raffle for each shift worked, featuring amazing giveaways from local businesses
We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for being part of what makes Ithaca such a special place!
Festival Crossing Guard-Are you an aspiring super hero? Do you prioritize the safety of Others. A vital part of the festival safety team is our crossing guards. Please help our patrons stay safe as they cross busy downtown intersections. You will be provided with a safety vest, flag, and communication with festival security staff and be our eyes and ears during your shift for public safety
Shifts Available: Friday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00 p; Friday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p and Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p
Button Brigade- Are you outgoing? As a button brigadier, you will be offering patrons of the festival their very own “golden ticket” to this event! You will be responsible for your inventory of buttons, cash handling and credit card purchases. Some walking throughout the festival area may be required. No experience is necessary as you will have training before the event and a consistent point of contact during the festival. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Parade Only Thursday 4:00-8:00p, Friday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p, Saturday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p, Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p
Parade- As a Parade volunteer, you will be part of this time-honored traditional start to Ithaca Festival, helping ensure that the Parade is safe for all and, especially, having lots of fun. While the Parade does not officially begin until 6:00 PM, in the hours immediately before this we have volunteers placing staging signs, greeting Parade groups and helping them find their assigned spots, and putting up traffic barricades. Also, we have bicyclists who ride along the route to keep children (and adults) close to the sidewalk so they are not at risk of injury from wide floats.
Shifts Available: Thursday 12:00-4:00pm; 4:00-8:00p
Heavy Lifting/Event Operations- As a EO volunteer, you become an integral piece of the puzzle that completes the landscape holding the entire event together. There are an innumerable amount of opportunities to help; whether you’d like to help with setting up tables and chairs in Dewitt Park or building a stage! The ability to lift above 50 pounds is necessary for this position. No experience will be necessary as you will have direction from a Festival Captain. If this sounds like it’s right up your alley, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Wednesday 12:00-4:00p; Thursday 12:00-4:00p ; Sunday 12:00-4:00p; 4:00-8:00p and 9:00-11:00p.
Stage MC- Enjoy your moment in the spotlight! As a Stage MC, you’ll be the consistent face of the festival. If you are great at connecting with people, have a smooth voice and an excitable stage presence, this is definitely the position for you. You will be promoting our wonderful sponsors and introducing each act throughout the event. Other announcements may be required and having a clear speaking voice is ideal. If this sounds like you, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Thursday 8:00-10:00p; Friday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p; Saturday 1200-4:00p; 4:00-8:00p; Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p.
Stagehand- Are you ready to be a part of the show?! As a Stagehand volunteer, you’ll be up close and personal with the inner-workings of live production! You will help performers with loading in and loading out of gear, support the audio team and get the best seats in the house during the show. No experience is necessary, but it would be helpful. If this sounds like an exciting opportunity, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Thursday 7:00-10:00p; Friday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p; Saturday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00pm; Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p.
Merchandise Booth- As a Merchandise volunteer, you can put your smiling face and customer service skills to work ! Your support in this role gives our patrons the opportunity to purchase the festival’s merchandise, which helps fund the event year after year. You will be responsible for merchandise inventory, cash handling and credit card purchases. No experience is necessary as you will have training and a consistent point of contact during the festival. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Thursday 4:00-8:00; Friday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p; Saturday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p; Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p.
CRT (Compost, Recycle, Trash)- Let’s keep Ithaca green! As a CRT volunteer you’ll be taking on the gratifying opportunity to keep our city beautiful. Consistent maintenance of trash, compost and recycling receptacles is paramount during our wonderful event. You will be required to keep up on waste disposal and preserve a clean environment within the festival area. There are also opportunities to educate patrons on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste. No experience is necessary and the ability to lift is helpful but not required. If this sounds like a satisfying endeavor for you, please apply today!
Shifts Available: Thursday 7:00-10:00p; Friday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p, 9:00-11:00pm; Saturday 12:00-4:00p, 4:00-8:00p, 9:00-11:00p; Sunday 12:00-4:00p and 4:00-8:00p, and 9:00-11:00p.