Volunteer Now for Summerfest 2017!
By John Becker
In 1983, MASH ended an 11-year, 251-episode TV run, Vanessa Williams became the first African-American crowned Miss America and McDonald’s introduced the Chicken McNugget.
Did you know ‘83 was also the year a group of Virginia-Highland merchants – led by late Atkins Park owner Warren Bruno – got together and threw a block party that would eventually become Summerfest?
Yes, it’s really been 34 years since the first Summerfest, and organizers are hard at work planning this year’s festival set for the weekend of June 3. Featuring a 5K Road Race and Tot Trot, one of the largest juried artist markets in the South and a variety of local, regional and national acts performing on the music Summerfest stage, our festival has become one of Atlanta’s most eagerly anticipated seasonal events.
Aside from simply attending the event, how can you get the most out of your Summerfest experience? Why, volunteering, of course! Summerfest volunteer shifts are generally 2-3 hours long and you can choose to help with:
- Our Community Parade or Dinner/Movie on Friday (VaHi residents only)
- Our 5K Road Race and Tot Trot on Saturday morning
- Our Artist Market or Kidsfest areas, merchandise sales and other needs on Saturday or Sunday during the festival
Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones, and also help ensure the success of VHCA’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Volunteering can be a great way for high school or middle school students to get service hours. You can even sign up for multiple shifts if you like (and many do). Encourage your friends and neighbors to volunteer. Come join in the fun and go home with the coveted volunteer t-shirt!
We’re using SignUp.Com (formerly VolunteerSpot) again this year for volunteer registration and management. The tool is great at helping us organize our various tasks and shifts and is very easy to use. (Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone.)
Here’s how it works in three easy steps:
- Click here to access the Summerfest area on VolunteerSpot.
- Review the different tasks and shifts listed and identify the tasks/shifts that work for you.
- Sign up – it’s easy and you won’t have to register or leave a password on SignUp.com.
Have questions or need more information? Contact volunteer coordinator John Becker at [email protected]. Please don’t delay – volunteer today! We look forward to seeing you in June!
John Becker is a past VHCA board member and serves as Summerfest volunteer coordinator.