Please remember volunteering is work and we are depending on you. While a festival is a lot of fun, there is also a lot of work to be done. We appreciate your attention to details and energy.
DO – Bring a backpack for your stuff
DO – Smile & and be friendly 
DO – Have fun 
DO – Be flexible & proactive 
DO – Leave the drama at home We do NOT have storage.
DO – Bring power bank for your phone

DO NOT – Bring friends, siblings, etc…as tag-a-longs.
DO NOT – Talk or text on your cell phone, put it away.
DO NOT – Bring purse or personal belonging.

All new volunteers need to attend on Sunday, October 27: 2 pm-Vendor Check In volunteers, 3 pm – Beer & Bones volunteers, and 4 pm – General volunteers. Returning volunteers are recommended to attend to hear updates.

All volunteers report to the Festival Volunteer Center at 214 Goldsboro St S, Wilson, NC 27893.
This is formerly the Selkie gift shop. We are using it for the weekend. See the map for location. You will see a bright yellow “Volunteer Center” banner hanging in the window.

Families/rides can easily drop off volunteers in the Whirligig Station apartment parking lot. Refer to the yellow star icon on the map. You may NOT park in the lot – you will be towed! Parking is for residents only. The parking lot GPS: 211 Tarboro Street SW. The parking lot is located behind the Volunteer Center. From the parking lot you can walk into the festival zone between the buildings and around to the front door. Enter the lot from Tarboro Street and drive all the way to the back of the lot for drop off.

Much of the downtown area will be blocked off as the festival fun takes up many streets and parking lots. The entire downtown will be overloaded with parking by attendees. We recommend you arrive early, drive around the area and park where you can find a spot. Parking is usually most available in the Parking Garage. We advise you take a PHOTO of where you parked so you can find your way back. Prepare to walk several blocks.

First, enter the GPS address above and drive/walk to find it yourself. You can do it! If all else fails, you can call the festival phone, but it is often very busy so you may not get an answer. Festival phone: 252-289-9650 (call – do not text)

Park or be dropped off 10 minutes before your shift begins. This allows you time to walk to the Volunteer Center. You will need to walk at least 2 blocks, maybe more, allow extra time.

All volunteers check in at the Festival Volunteer Center. Several Team Captains will be on site to greet you, give you a volunteer t-shirt and then explain the tasks we need your help accomplishing.

Sorry – no, we don’t have any place to safely store items. If you need to bring any items with you, please bring a backpack or drawstring bag that YOU can easily carry. Do not bring purses!

Wear a casual t-shirt.

We volunteer rain or shine – dress for the weather.
If it is cold or windy – wear a coat. If it is raining, bring an umbrella.
Bring a water bottle.
Cash, Debit Card or Credit card to buy lunch.
Wear good walking shoes. You will be on your feet all day.
Layer clothing (it may be cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon)

All volunteers will receive a gift from the festival

Volunteers help in three areas. You will help in the area you signed up for on line.
1. General Volunteer – Will have a variety of tasks ranging from setting up decorations to patrolling the festival zone to hand out schedules. No task is too big or too small. Saturday tasks will different from Sunday tasks.
2. Merchandise Sales – Merchandise volunteers will be sent to the sales booth in either the Whirligig Park or the Courthouse Plaza. You will help customers.
3. Beer & Bones Zone – Volunteers must be 21+ and will help in the Whirligig Park area selling beer tickets, checking IDs and pouring cups full of beer.

Sorry- no. We have created shorter shifts to make it easier on everyone. You can enjoy the festival before or after your shift. We have just enough volunteers to keep the activities going. If you need a bathroom break, ask the Team Captain.

No. Please eat breakfast before you come. Meals are not provided. We will provide bottled water. However, the festival has about 30 different food vendors. Bring money to buy food & shop at the vendor booths. You can go eat at the festival before or after your shift – not during your shift.

Yes, when you check out. You will receive a Volunteer Certificate of appreciation. It will have the number of hours you served.

You can leave at the end of your shift. You will need to Check OUT at the Volunteer Center at the end of your shift. This is when you will receive your Volunteer Certificate.

Once you sign up, we are counting on you! And, others have been blocked from taking that spot. We prefer you stick with the shift and area you first selected. But, if you must change, log back in and do it before the Volunteer Training. As of Sunday, Oct. 27 the teams, shifts and areas are locked in.

First, remain calm. Provide on-hand assistance the best you can do. Immediately, reach out to a Police officer, EMS or Fire department on hand. If a uniformed agent is not nearby, call 911. Next, notify the Volunteer Center of the emergency and location: 252-289-9650