2008 National Folk Festival - Butte, Montana - The Story of America as Told Through Music, Dance, Crafts, Narrative, and Cuisine

Become a National Folk Festival Volunteer

We need a batallion of 700 to 900 volunteers to work with festival planners, professional staff and technicians to prepare for an event that will bring Butte, Montana and the region immeasurable rewards.

All National Folk Festival volunteers gain great memories and more than a few pleasant surprises from getting involved.. At the end of the day, volunteers will go away with a free T-shirt and the undying gratitude of the festival organizers.

Shifts are an average of four hours for each volunteer and many volunteers sig up for two or three shifts throughout the festival.

To volunteer to have fun making sure that the National Folk Festival in Montana is a success, you can fill out a volunteer sign up form at the link below.

Please send an email expressing your preference for a particular volunteer task to Volunteer Coordinator Denys Dutton at butteparts1@aol.com.

Here are some volunteer opportunities available at the National Folk Festival (we have rated them from 1 to 10 based on how physically demanding the tasks are 1 being the easiest and 10 the most strenuous):

These jobs are less physically demanding than others - many can be done sitting down.

1. Performer Check-in (2) - An offsite job meeting and greeting the performers as they arrive at the host hotel (The Copper King Hotel). Requires organizing and preparation for guests. Not much standing and you will answer questions, count CDs and chat with some very interesting people!
2. Volunteer Registration (2) - Meet all the volunteers as they come on duty - let them know where they are going and be in the know of all the latest changes. You will work at the Operations Center location near the Butte Archives.
3. Chauffers (2) - Operate one of about a dozen golf carts on the Festival site. You will be trasnporting seniors, staff. performers and some really tired folks.
4. Music Logger (2)- Work on one of the seven stages recording and logging the live performances. These recordings will become part of the permanent collection at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
5. Craft Marketplace (4) - Volunteers will help set up, resupply and offer breaks to the retail folks so they too can take breaks. Get a great opportunity to see all the cool stuff before anyone else does!

These jobs require a lot of walking or long periods of standing.

6. Vending (5) - Sell T-shirts and other festival items. Fast paced, lots of standing and a little sitting.
7. Site Management (6) - Lend a hand in the stage areas. Lots of standing and walking while you keep an eye out for helping with seating, crowd control, lost kids, garbage, safety problems and about anything else that needs help. Need to be a self-starter and able to make decisions on your own.
8. Public Surveyor (6) - Lots of walking and standing. Perfect of you like to talk to folks. Cruise the crowd and take public comments and suggestions from visitors to the National.
9. Traffic/Parking Control (7) - lots of walking and standing. Work at blocked off streets ensuring no entry to unauthorized vehicles and help assist vendors and VIPs in designated parking areas.
10. Music Sales (5) - Standing and some sitting involved - fast paced. Help sell performer CDs in the CD sales tents to folks wanting to take a bit of the festival home with them.
11. Backstage Hospitality (4) - Some standing and some sitting involved. Work close to the performers and help stage managers with any need they have. A close-to-the-action job!
12. Info Booth (5) - On your feet a lot but great for those who like to talk and help folks out. Work in one of three information booths and answer questions about the festival, Butte and surrounding communities and attractions, directions and what is happening when during the festival and beyond.
13. Montana Folk Life Area (5) - Work closely with some of the nation's finest artisans. Help out the cultural demonstrators at the folk arts stage and get a close look at what others can only watch from afar.
14. Family Area (6) - On your feet a lot. A chance to contribute while playing games, being silly, and having fun with kids.
15. Bucket Brigade (8) - Bucket brigaders spread good cheer as they collect donations and hand out stickers - a really fun job - kids welcome! Moms too!
16. Beer Server (6) - Must be 21 years of age, with some standing and lots of busy work during your shift. NO money is exchanged and you DO NOT have to check ID's. High paced and fun!
17. Soda Pop server (6) - Must be 15 and able to make change as you will get money for your products! Standing and fast paced, lots of folks to meet!
18. Ticket Sales (6) - Must be at least 21 years of age and you will be checking ID's as you sell tickets to the beer gardens. Standing on your feet and lots of folks to meet should be fast paced and you do also need the ability to make correct change.

These jobs require some muscle!

19. Site Setup/Tear-down (9) - Lots of physical labor - standing, carrying and more. Help make the festival site happen and still get to relax once the music starts. Lots of assistance will be needed for setup and take down and clean up!
20. Floater (2 to 9) - Live by the seat of your pants - be ready to take anybody's volunteer job in the entire festival.

Become a National Folk Festival Volunteer

Here are some volunteer opportunities available at the National Folk Festival (we have rated them from 1 to 10 based on how physically demanding the tasks are 1 being the easiest and 10 the most strenuous):

These jobs are less physically demanding than others - many can be done sitting down.

These jobs require a lot of walking or long periods of standing.

These jobs require some muscle!

To volunteer for any of these tasks, click the link below.