We Want You!
Volunteers are the most important part of Derby Days, and there are so many ways to be a part of the fun. The following volunteer opportunities involve regular attendance at our committee meetings and will require some commitment to planning this major event.
ShopFest Coordinator: ShopFest is the Derby Days craft and business fair. It takes place inside Derby High School on Saturday, June 16 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Responsibilities include:
- Attending regular committee meetings
- Mailing or e-mailing applications to interested vendors
- Serving as contact person for event questions
- Receiving applications and fees
- Setting up a hospitality room for vendors
- Assigning booth space to participating vendors
- Setting up the space on Friday, June 15
- Ensuring the event runs smoothly
- Supervising break down and cleanup
Volunteer Coordinator: Volunteers are a key part of the Derby Days event. A volunteer coordinator is needed to recruit volunteers for all three days of this year’s event. Responsibilities include:
- Attending regular committee meetings
- Contacting community groups to identify willing volunteers
- Generally advertising the need for volunteers anywhere and everywhere!
- Tracking specific volunteer needs for various events
- Assigning volunteers to specific activities and events
- Helping with “thank you” efforts for volunteers after Derby Days is over
Food Court Coordinator: Derby Days typically includes about 8 professional food vendors who sell a variety of items during the event. The coordinator for this event is the main contact person for the food vendors and works to ensure we have a good variety of food items for Derby Days guests to purchase. Responsibilities include:
- Attending regular committee meetings
- Mailing and/or e-mailing application packet to interested vendors
- Serving as a contact point for food court questions
- Receiving applications and fees
- Assigning vendor spaces to participating vendors
- Helping vendors set up on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
- Overseeing the food court operations regularly during the weekend
- Supervising break down and cleanup
Car Show Coordinator: This event would be a new addition to the Derby Days schedule if we are able to find a willing volunteer. The ideal individual would be very familiar with area car shows and have good contacts with existing car clubs. This is an opportunity to plan a new event from start to finish!
Dog Show Coordinator: This event was taken off the schedule in 2011, but we hope to add it back for 2012. This is a good short-term commitment, since the event is usually just about one hour to 1 1/2 hours and involves some fun opportunities. A coordinator would have the following responsibilities:
- Attending regular committee meetings
- Promoting the event through local veterinary clinics, retailers, etc.
- Selecting award categories
- Securing prizes/awards
- Conducting the event from start to finish the day of the event
Entertainment Coordinator: Musical entertainment has been the heart of Derby Days from the very beginning, and this event needs someone with a love of music (all kinds!) who will can:
- Attend regular committee meetings
- Recommend bands able perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Work with band management to cover the details of necessary arrangements
- Help with hospitality for each performance
- Serve as contact person between the entertainers and Derby Days
Marketing Coordinator: Promoting this event to the community is an important job, and we need an individual who is willing to do the following:
- Attend regular committee meetings
- Create and execute a marketing plan (on a limited budget!)
- Prepare news releases leading up to the Derby Days event
- Create and distribute posters, pocket size event guides, other
- Work with our webmaster to keep website up-to-date
- Coordinate other marketing needs as necessary
Other volunteer opportunities are limited to the days of the event and can be as little as one or two hours at a time. Some examples include:
Button Sales: Volunteers work at one of two locations to greet guests and sell buttons as they enter the festival grounds. Obviously, this involves handling money, so we prefer older kids and adults. Make sure to bring your positive attitude and sense of humor!
KidFest: With hundreds of kiddos in attendance, we need lots of volunteers on hand to help the little ones with crafts and other fun activities. If you enjoy working with kids, this may be a great volunteer opportunity for you.
Parking and Security Volunteers: Parking at the event site is very limited, particularly on the day of the event. Parking and security volunteers help to ensure that we have volunteers working at the south entrance to Derby High School to direct guests to the trolley pickup locations on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. This is an easy job that requires folks with a firm but helpful demeanor. Bring your own lawn chair!
To volunteer or request additional information:
Please contact