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Volunteer At Summerfolk

Be Part of the Magic.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Want to see Summerfolk from behind the scenes? Join our volunteer crew and help bring the festival to life!

Volunteering is one of the best ways to experience Summerfolk behind the scenes. Each year, we welcome passionate people from near and far to join our incredible volunteer community—an essential part of what makes the festival so special.

Happy summerfolk volunteer man
volunteers working together at summerfolk

Make new friends and help create the magic of Summerfolk.

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, share your skills, learn something new, or simply be part of a fun, welcoming atmosphere, there’s a place for you here. We’re always looking for fresh energy, new ideas, and friendly faces to help bring the festival to life.

We're looking for friendly faces and helping hands!

Summerfolk wouldn’t happen without the time, talent, and heart of our volunteers. We appreciate every single one of you—and we can’t wait to welcome you to the team!

Join Our Crew!
2 happy volunteers talking and smiling

Volunteer Perks

When you volunteer for 12 hours or more, you’ll receive:

  • Full weekend access to all live music and livestreamed events
  • A souvenir volunteer t-shirt
  • Access to exclusive volunteer-only areas and more!
  • A life-time of festival memories

Be a part of the Summerfolk Crew

Join the Fun!
2 happy volunteers talking

Which Crew Is Right For You?

Join Our Volunteer Team

Guest Services & Accessibility

Box office volunteer duties include:

  • Process box office ticket sales on site.
  • Provide patrons with “will call” tickets (provided by the approved ticket vendor.)
  • Work with ticket vendors to provide patrons with appropriate receipts and wristbands.
  • Refer issues, concerns or special requests to the attention of the Administration/Festival Staff.

Are you a folkie at heart who knows the festival inside and out? Come volunteer in the information booth to help to answer questions from the public!

Duties include:

  • Answer patron questions about the program, the festival, and the site and tourist facilities in the area.
  • Provide information and directions to the various festival attractions
  • Help to operate the Lost & Found
  • Hand out festival programs/brochures, and sell raffle tickets.
  • Collect volunteer and audience survey forms and feedback from attendees.   

Hours of operation for the Information Booth:

Friday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

First Aid Services crew volunteers report directly to the First Aid Coordinator and/or two Crew Chiefs. The duties of this position include:

  • Providing First Aid services for patrons, volunteers, staff and contractors on site.
  • Under the direction of the Coordinator and in compliance with the Lost Children policy, assist in setting up the registration area and register children and parents at the festival.
  • Provide support for Accessibility Support Krew (ASK)

The Access Service Krew or Just ASK is a section of the First Aid crew which helps to ensure the GBFS is fulfilling all requirements by the AODA. This crew is happy to greet and provide assistance to patrons with disabilities or any others who may require special festival services.  This crew will assist with registrations, hand out information as needed and manage accessible areas.

Are you passionate about green initiatives and sustainability? Share your passion with festival attendees and help us reduce the festival’s impact on the environment by promoting our compost program and other initiatives! The Green & Clean crew is an amalgamation of the Trash and Greening crew, who have come together to work towards making the festival greener and more sustainable.

This team makes Kelso Beach at Nawash Park look brand new each morning with garbage/recycling/compost station pickups throughout the day and evening (Friday through Sunday), and is responsible for restocking supplies in the permanent and portable bathrooms on-site (when necessary), and delivers garbage bags and recycled materials to the designated on-site disposal bins.

The team alerts the Crew Chief if there are any concerns about supplies or maintenance of the Good Cheer bathrooms.

Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, audiences, funders and partners, we will continue to make reductions in our environmental footprint, and great strides in the promotion of environmental education!

Performer Support & Stage Crews

Everyone loves autograph sessions at the festival! 

The Autograph crew is ready to assist performers to sign up for autograph sessions at various stages on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This crew also facilitates any performer or a   representative selling their merchandise after their performance sidestage.

Backstage Café volunteers maintain the café area and provide light snacks and beverages in the backstage area.

The duties of this position may include:

  • Setting out light snacks, condiments, cups and plates as needed.
  • Make coffee, tea and hot chocolate and put available cold beverages on ice.
  • Liaise with the Technical Director  to ensure that staging crews have eaten; if necessary, deliver food to them.
  • Keep backstage café clean and tidy.
  • Provide light meals and snacks for overnight security personnel.

The Backstage Hospitality crew works to welcome performers to the site as they arrive backstage and make them feel welcome.

Duties include:

  • Keep the Green Room and change rooms tidy
  • Provide security at the Green Room entrances, ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the area
  • After the main stage concert ends on Sunday evening, before leaving the site, clean and sweep the backstage area.
  • Return any Lost & Found articles to the Administration Tent for transportation to the office.
  • Return any rental tables and chairs at the end of the festival to a central location for pickup.

Staging crews will assist the Artistic Director and Technical Director in producing concerts and workshops during the day and evening of the festival.  Volunteers will help the Artistic Director, Technical Director, Stage Crew Chiefs, evening hosts and performers, to coordinate the following stages:

  • Amphitheatre stage (evening performances and that always popular Gospel on Sunday morning)
  • Down by the Bay (afternoon and evening performances including workshops and concerts)
  • Gazebo Wine Bar (a great mix of concerts and workshops with Live Stream from the Amphitheatre in the evenings)
  • Down by the River (Dance)
  • Sharing Circle (smaller venue that includes Spoken Word & Open Stage)
  • Family Village (geared towards children’s shows)


Staging crew duties include:

  • Greet performing artists backstage
  • Confirm technical data & assist in technical setup on stage(s)
  • Assist in maintaining the set performance schedule to keep Summerfolk on track throughout the weekend.

Hotel Hospitality prepares envelopes with credentials, information about the festival including directions for the performers as they arrive and hands them out at our host hotel.

  • The crew provides light snacks and beverages for performers at the hotel throughout the weekend, a place to jam in the conference room, and facilitates a Sunday evening social event for performers, festival crew chiefs and coordinators.

Come join the instrument lock up crew to help bring the magic to the festival!

The duties of this position include:

  • Taking instruments from performers in exchange for a claim ticket and labeling all instruments
  • Place instruments inside secure storage facility
  • Provide security at the entrance to the lock-up
  • Return instruments to performers when claim ticket is produced
  • Refer any complaints or concerns to the attention of the Instrument Lock-up Crew Chief.

Duties of this crew include:

  • Load instruments from Performer Shuttle and Instrument Lockup into the cart and push the cart to the designated stage as per performer instructions..
  • Assist the performers and/or stage crew to lift instruments from the cart to the stage or place near the stage.
  • After the performance, assist performers and stage crew to remove instruments from the stage.
  • Move instruments and equipment back to the lockup as instructed by performer.
  • Assist performers carrying their instruments to and from their vehicles
  • On request, meet performer’s vehicles in the parking lot to assist in delivering instruments and equipment to staging areas.

The Media Liaison crew helps to work with the media to provide media packages, schedule interviews with performers and arrange locations for interviews.

Site Operations

Construction volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

Construction Volunteers report directly to the Site Coordinator(s) or their crew chief.

The duties of this position include:

  • The preparation and installation of all staging, tents and booths for the Festival.
  • In accordance with the approved site plan, volunteers will move materials from the storage area to specific locations around the festival site.
  • Under the direction of the Site Coordinator volunteers will install perimeter fencing, paint stages where needed.
  • During the festival weekend, repair and maintain staging and fencing as necessary.
  • During the pre-festival week, handle deliveries of tables, chairs, picnic tables and place them throughout the festival where needed.
  • After the festival, during tear down, assist with the dismantling and storage of construction materials and equipment.
  • Gather any tables, chairs, picnic tables in one area for pickup.
  • Construction crew will work the week prior, during (as needed) and after the festival.

Construction Food Volunteers deliver and serve food to the Construction and Electrical Crew volunteers.

With the direction of the crew chief the duties of this position may include:

  • Preparing lunch and supper meals
  • Pick up donated meals from suppliers as arranged by the crew chief
  • Deliver food to the construction site at noon and again at 5 o’clock each day during the construction and tear down process, and set out the food in the backstage area.
  • Ensure a volunteer notifies all working volunteers that the meal is ready to serve.
  • After the meal, clean up the area and store any leftovers.

The construction food crew will work prior to the festival weekend and during tear down after.

Electrical crew volunteers report directly to the Electrical Coordinator.

The duties of this position may include:

  • Being responsible for the preparation and installation of all electrical systems for staging, security, food booths, artisan booths, etc. relating to the conduct of the Festival.
  • Ensure there is proper lighting in key areas of the festival.
  • In accordance with the approved site plan, move materials from the electrical trailer storage area to specific locations around the festival site.
  • Install panels, wiring, and electrical equipment under the direction of the Electrical Services Coordinator.
  • During the festival weekend, repair and maintain electrical services as necessary.
  • After the festival, during tear down, assist with the dismantling and storage of electrical materials under the direction of the Electrical Coordinator.
  • This crew supports all other crews by shuttling materials and equipment around the festival grounds, from the Summerfolk office, and occasionally around the Owen Sound area. 
  • This crew primarily operates during set-up week, and occasionally during festival hours.

Safety, Security & Entry

Ambassadors

The main objective of the Ambassador volunteers is the overall safety and security of the festival and its patrons. Ambassador Volunteers will wear designated attire which will be provided by the Georgian Bay Folk Society and must be worn at all times while on duty. This will enable all Ambassador Volunteers to be easily identified by everyone. The specified uniforms will not be worn while off duty.

The main goal of our Ambassador crew 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. The crew welcomes everyone coming to the festival and, with the Park being licensed this year for the first time, makes sure that no one is leaving the Park with an alcoholic beverage in their hand.  There will be a bin nearby at all gates to make this convenient.

BAR – Ambassadors in the Bar areas work together with the Bar serving crew to maintain the cleanliness of the area.  They may assist with checking IDs for handing out wristbands.

FRONT GATE – Ambassadors under the guidance of their crew chief will assist patrons in the lineup procedure including gate control and wristband checks. Patrons who attempt to butt into the line are asked to move to the back of the line. Handing out pre-entry line numbers. Check all bags and coolers for alcohol or contraband prior to entry into the festival.

SOUTHGATE AND WATERGATE AMBASSADORS follow the direction of their crew chief in this combined team of volunteers.

SOUTH GATE – Including gate control and wristband checks; check all bags and coolers for alcohol or contraband prior to entry into the festival. Only Performer Shuttle and vehicles with a South Inside or All Access parking pass may enter this gate.

WATERGATE – All patrons or volunteers who cross the Watergate bridge will access the Park via the South Gate entrance.  Watergate Ambassador volunteers will monitor the Reconciliation Garden for drinking at a gate farther east than in the past. The Reconciliation Garden is a smoking area (no alcohol allowed when smoking).

NORTH GATE /VOLUNTEER CAMPING/MARINA – Maintain gate control and complete wrist band checks. North Gate shall not be used for public access. This is the service entrance for food vendors, deliveries, volunteers and, if needed, emergency vehicles. North Gate/Camping/Marina Ambassadors are responsible for keeping the emergency lane clear, and to ensure volunteers are using the camping area respectfully. Only vehicles with designated parking passes are allowed inside the north entrance to the Park.

Must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer on all Ambassador crews.

AMPHITHEATRE AND BACKSTAGE AMBASSADORS follow the direction of their crew chief in this combined team of volunteers.

AMPHITHEATRE – Amphitheatre ambassadors will work cooperatively with the Front and South gate ambassadors to choreograph the seating arrangements in the amphitheatre. Each person waiting in the lineup can save a maximum of four seats in the amphitheatre. Ambassadors will be asked to do random aisle checks in the Amphitheatre throughout the festival to ensure a safe and secure environment for all patrons; as well as to provide information to patrons when requested. They will ensure that all aisles are clear in case of emergency.

There are ambassadors in place all day, even when nothing is going on – to maintain a safe and fun festival environment.

BACKSTAGE – This is a restricted access area that is not open to the general public.  There is a designated wristband colour(s) that indicates access. The position Includes gate control and wristband checks as well as a designated ambassador monitoring the stage/audience in the stage left area.

Must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer on all Ambassador crews

The parking crew follows the direction of the Parking Crew Chief to help direct traffic, monitor parking spaces for Summerfolk parking passes, and helps to keep our pedestrians safe as they enter the festival grounds. The South Gate entrance from the street is for vehicles with parking passes, Performer Shuttle and accessible parking spaces (limited number). The north entrance from the street allows General Parking to the right before entering the Park.  Parking passes are required inside the Park.

Food & Beverage

All bar volunteers must be a minimum 19 years of age with up-to-date Smart Serve certification.

Duties include:

  • Pouring and serving all refreshments from the bar
  • Accept cash and operate a cash register/POS system
  • Monitor the crowd for problem patrons, crowd size and under-aged drinkers.
  • Help the bar Ambassador team clean the grounds and tables in the bar area
  • Gather garbage, recyclable cups, etc.
  • Provide assistance to Bar Coordinator and crew chiefs when required.
  • The Wine Bar Gazebo is one of six stage locations at the festival.
  • Wine Bar volunteers will work both as ambassadors and servers for the area.  This bar specializes in wine and cheese service and has expanded its selections to include other beverages (yes beer, too).
  • All Wine Bar volunteers must be at least 19 years of age and have their Smart Serve certification.

Volunteers on the Commercial Food Crew provide direct assistance to food vendors. Their duties include:

  • Providing accreditation for food vendors and their staff and will put wristbands on for them.
  • Assist food vendors to restock their booths as needed.
  • Register all food village staff for their shifts.

Hours of operation:

  • Friday 2 pm to 8 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am to 8 pm
  • Sunday 9:00 am to 8 pm

Community & Festival Experience Areas

Duties of this role include:

  • Work with the Artisan Village Coordinator to meet, greet and direct artisan vendors as they arrive on Friday morning.
  • Act as host to the artisan vendors during village hours for general assistance and relief.
  • All hours on this crew are completed during the festival weekend.

  • Piloted in 2022, the Summerfolk Community Village is a festival attraction that aims to showcase local nonprofits and community-based organizations! The Community Village is located at the south end of the park, between the Wine Bar Gazebo Stage and the Family Village. There will be a range of informative and interactive booths. Learn more about the Community Village by clicking HERE.

    This crew supports the needs of our Community Village participants, under the direction of the Community Village Coordinator(s).

    Duties of this role include:

    • Work with the Community Village Coordinator to meet, greet and direct exhibitors as they come on to the site.
    • Act as host to the exhibitors during festival hours for general assistance.

Family Village volunteers assist children and their parents in carrying out activities in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The duties of this position include:

  • Assisting children and youth at the craft tables and wood working area.
  • Maintain stock sufficient supplies on each table for the designated activity.
  • Work together to create costumes for participating in a Children’s Parade together with performers.
  • Assist with setup in the morning and cleanup after closing. 

Hours of Operation for the Family Village:

Saturday: 10:00 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 5 pm

Merch & Fundraising

The General Store crew is assigned to a variety of tasks that, when executed successfully, sell Summerfolk-branded merchandise, as well as provide a consignment service to the festival performers whereby they can provide their merchandise for sale to the festival attendees. 

Volunteer roles include:

  • Customer Service
  • Inventory Management
  • “Satellite Table” Management
  • Performer Merchandise Management
  • Set-Up/Tear-Down.
  • Ideal volunteers will be friendly, efficient and self-motivated, and have cash register/point-of-sale (POS) experience, retail experience, and/or enjoy working with the public.

Winner! Gagnant!

  • The Raffle crew works throughout the weekend to sell 50/50 tickets under the guidance  of the Raffle crew chief.
  • The crew chief will coordinate crew schedules throughout the festival for maximum ticket sales. 

Admin & Coordination

If you are organized, good with people and have a keen eye for detail, you will feel right at home with the Administration crew.  Under the supervision of festival staff, this crew is ready to assist everyone – providing directions, communications and general information throughout the festival weekend.  The best candidates have a familiarity with the festival.

The accreditation crew helps to register all festival volunteers, VIPs, sponsors and will put on their wristbands. They assist in creating the volunteer badges before the festival.

Some hours may be done prior to the festival.

Duties include:

  • Help to hand out media accreditation as needed & refer unaccredited members of the media to the Media Liaison Crew Chief.
  • Liaise with the Hotel Hospitality crew and provide accreditation for performers and/or kin who did not pick up their accreditation at the Hotel.
  • Work with Volunteer Services to prepare lanyards and t-shirts for volunteers, as well maintain a list of any volunteers who do not show up for their shift.

Under the direction of the Volunteer Coordinator, the Volunteer Services crew duties include:

  • Assist the Volunteer Coordinator prepare for the festival by receiving and processing memberships. Helping in this area requires some experience with how the festival operates and how to assign volunteers to the different crews.
  • Throughout the festival weekend, help at the Volunteer Services tent with collecting volunteer surveys, providing a rest area for volunteers, maintaining the cleanliness of the tent and more.

 

Some hours may be done prior to the festival.

The Financial Services crew is responsible for the management of cash on the festival site.

  • This crew will process credit card slips and record the information as directed by the coordinator and crew chief. 
  • Record information on the computerized festival ledger.

Youth & Learning

Apprentices are volunteers between the ages of 14-18 years old, and are scheduled to work on at least two different crews over the weekend. This allows the younger volunteers a chance to get a feel for the festival, meet some different individuals and become familiar with some of the volunteer roles available. New volunteers are paired up with experienced volunteers from the selected crew for guidance.

  • Week-long day camp, including the festival weekend starting on the Tuesday before the festival
  • Opportunity for students to earn up to 40 volunteer hours in one week
  • Games, food, and more!
  • Build skills in leadership, event planning, cooperation, and problem-solving
  • Make friends and enjoy live music!