By SALINA POST
The upcoming Smoky Hill River Festival is still in need of volunteers.
Each year, more than 2,000 dedicated, engaged, community-minded, and fun volunteers step up to help make the epic arts party a huge success.
The 2022 Smoky Hill River Festival is just around the corner - June 9-12 - and approximately 320 volunteers are still needed.
Volunteers must be 12 or older and are required to purchase and wear an official festival admission wristband. Sign up by calling 785-309-5770 or go online and sign up for a shift at https://signup.com/group/275414358093?utm_source=group-badge-volunteer-green.
Following is information from Salina Arts & Humanities about festival volunteer opportunities in the highest need areas.
Art ambassadors
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours
Desired traits: Good interpersonal and customer service skills. Average overall physical condition to work outside; ability to lift and carry drink thermos.
Volunteers have the opportunity to:
• Work a two-hour shift to provide at-booth beverages and short breaks to festival artists.
• Serve individually, as a couple, with a friend, as a family, or as a corporate team.
Craft demo volunteer
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours
Desired traits: Good interpersonal and customer service skills. Average overall physical condition to work outside.
Volunteers have the opportunity to:
• Assist demo artists with various needs as they are demonstrating and selling their work, answering general questions.
• Help move supplies to and from vehicles if needed, ensuring cold water jug stays full.
• Booth sit if an artist needs to step away momentarily.
Art show parking guides
Estimated time commitment: 2.5 hours
Desired traits: Good interpersonal and customer service skills
Parking guides have the opportunity to:
• Wear an official vest and provide parking assistance and directions to festival artists.
• Meet and direct festival artists during brief morning load in shifts before park opening on Friday and Saturday.
Artyopolis children's area volunteer
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours
Desired traits: Average overall physical condition to work outside, ability to lift and carry. Enjoy working with children.
Volunteers have the opportunity to:
• Assist children in assembling art projects and refilling craft supplies and/or playing the free games.
• Serve individually, as a couple, with a friend, as a family, or as an organization or business team.
Gates volunteers
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours
Desired traits: average overall physical condition to work outside, ability to lift and carry
Volunteers have the opportunity to:
• Greet festival goers as they enter and exit the park.
• Take money for the purchase of entrance by festival admission.
• Check those festival goers entering the park have appropriate festival admission.