Want to volunteer at Taste of Eau Claire?
Volunteers are often the first and the last contacts a visitor has with an event and for that reason and many more, volunteers are crucial to the event’s success. We are looking for energetic and friendly volunteers to help make this Taste of Eau Claire a tremendous success!
There are various ways for you, your family, or your organization to get involved with Taste of Eau Claire this year. Below you will find the positions available and information on how to sign up!
Ambassadors
Ambassador volunteers provide the first and last impression customers see. Ambassador's responsibilities include:
Welcoming customers to the event and assisting with distributing event guides
Answering questions customers might have about locations of restrooms, event schedule, food or beverage vendors, etc. (info in event guide)
Friends of the Festival
Friends of the Festival volunteers are the eyes and ears of the event. They serve the dual purpose of helping the event run smoothly and making the customers feel appreciated. Friends of the Festival responsibilities include:
Staffing information booths within the event where customers can come for event guides and general information about the event
Checking in volunteers for their assigned shift and distributing T-shirts
Answering questions volunteers might have about their duty location or responsibilities.
Be willing to help with trash pickup within the event and assist the event staff however needed
Taste of Eau Claire Bankers
Bankers have a dual role of ensuring the safety of the incoming cash during the festival as well as verifying vendor ticket values once the event concludes. Responsibilities include:
Verify and transport cash to night deposit, hourly
Verify event receipts
Verify all vendor ticket reporting
Children’s Activity Volunteers
Children’s activities keep families engaged for longer periods of time, and help to ensure a successful event. Children’s activity attendant responsibilities include:
Taking tickets for admission to activity
Ensuring rules for activities are followed
Serving as information source for children, if needed
Children’s craft projects
Setup (6:00 – 9:00 am)
Setup volunteers will ensure things run smoothly during the setup process. Responsibilities include:
Providing vendors with setup information and booth location
Assisting with vendor vehicle traffic during the setup process
Setting up banquet tables, chairs and hand washing stations
Posting signage
Serving as a liaison between vendors and event staff
Cleanup (6:00 – 7:30 pm)
Cleanup volunteers ensure the smooth exit of all vendors and help return the park to its original condition Cleanup responsibilities include:
Directing vendors to disposal locations
Assisting with vendor vehicle traffic during the teardown process
Breaking down banquet tables and chairs
Final sweep of trash removal from site
Beverage Attendants
This position can be physically demanding, and requires the ability to bend, lift, and carry 30 pounds repeatedly, as well as the use of a hand-truck for transporting up to 200 pounds.
Stock all vending coolers prior to event (Saturday afternoon)
Receive instruction from Pepsi representatives on procedures and security (Sat)
Keep all beverage sale locations stocked throughout the event
Maintain security of Pepsi trailers and product
Food Ticket Sales
Once arriving at the festival, many guests immediately seek out ticket booths for both tickets and festival information. Responsibilities include:
Selling individual and/or sheet tickets
Follow all cash handling regulations
Provide information to customers about ticketing process and payment options
Ensure event guides are available to guests
Trash Pickup
Trash pickup may not be glamorous, but is essential to ensure event attendees see both the Taste of Eau Claire festival and Phoenix Park is a positive light. Responsibilities include:
Keeping festival areas as clean as possible by picking up stray waste materials
Emptying event trash containers and taking bags to dumpster
Ensuring trash containers are easily accessible to event guests
Junior Volunteers for Food/Lemonade Vending
United Way acts as ‘vendor’ for some food items, such as popcorn, cotton candy, and lemonade. We are looking for “Junior Volunteers” with adult supervisors. Responsibilities include:
Using concession machines for preparation of food items, following all safety and operational guidelines
Portioning food items according to established guidelines
Efficiently serving event customers items requested
Maintaining integrity of all booth components and rental items
Securing all event tickets received
Soda Vending
United Way acts as a vendor for soda sales. Responsibilities include:
Efficiently serving event customers items requested
Maintain integrity of all booth components and rental items
Securing all event tickets received
Parking
There is a parking stigma regarding downtown Eau Claire, we would like to alleviate that by offering helpful parking volunteers. We have parking locations mapped out to share with this group of volunteers to show patrons how convenient it is to visit downtown. Responsibilities include:
Directing patrons to available parking areas
Merchandise Sales
Based on 2007 responses, we are going to offer official Taste of Eau Claire merchandise. Items include t-shirts, posters, can coolers. Responsibilities include:
Efficiently serving event customers items requested
Securing all event tickets received
Credit Card Machine
United Way will have the capability to accept credit cards for vendor ticket purchases. There will be specific training on this function by United Way staff. Responsibilities include:
Selling individual and/or sheet tickets
Follow all machine handling regulations
Provide information to customers about ticketing process and payment options
Ensure event guides are available to guests
If you still have a few questions, contact the United Way office at
834-5043 or email Jan at jporath@unitedwayeauclaire.org and we’ll be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
