Every Labor Day Weekend in Historic Downtown Bennington, Vermont!

BENNINGTON

Garlic Town U.S.A.

Eat, drink & get stinky with us
at Vermont’s biggest family farmers’ market

Vermont’s biggest family farmers’ market
BENNINGTON

 

Become a Volunteer

Volunteerism is very important to the Garlic Fest / Garlic Town U.S.A. history. We absolutely couldn’t host this festival without your help! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran volunteer, or new in town and want to make some friends, we’d love to have you help us out!

All volunteers attend a training and kick-off party night prior to the festival. More details will be emailed to you after you fill our your sign-up form below. Please reach out to Matt@swvtchamber.com if you have any questions.

Why Volunteer?

  • You’re giving back to the community, and helping the Chamber be able to continue to serve it’s members and region!
  • You’ll receive a famous stinkin’ volunteer tie dye t-shirt to rock during your shift!
  • Free admission to the festival after before/after your shift
  • Free lunch during festival day
  • Invitation to our festival kick-off night and volunteer thank you party (free food and drinks!)
  • It’s fun, rewarding, and stinkin’ awesome!
Volunteer Garlic Fest 2019
Volunteer Garlic Fest 2019

2023 Garlic Town, USA Volunteer Roles & Descriptions

TICKET SCANNING & SALES
  • Needs to be comfortable using mobile device and Eventbrite app to scan attendee electronic tickets 

  • Needs to be comfortable swiping and processing credit card payments for attendees

  • Needs to assist attendees who may be having issues purchasing tickets on their phone

  • Providing wristbands to attendees after successful ticket sale or check in of pre-sales

  • Will need to attend at least one training night prior to festival

  • Welcome to use personal phone or festival provided ticket scanner device

  • Receives a free mobile charger when using personal cell phone

  • Will be logged into private Chamber Eventbrite account prior to scanning by captain

  • Reports to Captain Kelly Harrington and Will Gardner

  • Locations: Ticket sale tent on Tuttle Lot, Cloves on Depot Street and Washington Avenue, outskirt parking lots (Ocean State Job Lot, Grace Christian School and Chamber), Transportation Shuttles

TICKET SALES - CASH ONLY
  • Needs to be comfortable handling cash payments at ticket sale booth
  • Providing wristband to attendee after ticket sale
  • Must monitor cash boxes at all times
  • No tech use necessary
  • Reports to Captain Sue Plaisance
  • Location: Tuttle Lot festival HQ next to main ticket sales (separate line)
INFO TABLE
  • Will assist attendees and travelers with any local or event questions they may have to avoid crowding at ticket lines
  • Knowledge of the Bennington area and local businesses and restaurants needed
  • Handouts, travel guides and other info will be provided for you at the table
  • Garlic Town event experience helpful
  • May need to briefly relieve other volunteers or vendors at certain times
  • Location: Tuttle Lot festival HQ near ticket sales tent
WRISTBAND CHECKER
  • Monitoring that all attendees having green wristband before entry into clove
  • May need to direct attendees to ticket sale or help tent
  • Needs to be comfortable standing for duration of shift
  • Reports to ticketing Captains
  • Location: Entry gates at Clove A (Greenberg Lot) and Clove B (Station Lot)
RECYCLING/WASTE STATION SORTER
  • Helps us keep our event as green as possible!
  • Will monitor recycling stations and collect compost/trash/recycling into provided barrels from attendees
  • May require lifting of full bags to transport to rolloff dumpster at Greenberg clove
  • Reports to Captain Peg Mulligan
  • Location: Recycling stations (2 in each clove) near dining areas
MERCHANDISE SALES
  • Selling stinkin’ awesome Garlic Town swag at the merch tent!
  • Needs to be comfortable using technology for card payments on iPad register
  • Needs to be comfortable handling cash payments and monitoring cash box at all times
  • Needs to keep booth stocked with various sizes and styles of provided merchandise and organize throughout the day
  • Answers to captain Andre Chenaille
  • Location: Tuttle Lot HQ area near ticket sale tent
VENDOR SUPPORT
  • Will relieve vendors as necessary and booth sit for bathroom breaks, etc
  • Not required to take payments for vendors or make sales, only letting customers know they will be back shortly
  • Will distribute waters to vendors and volunteers throughout day at both cloves
  • May help distribute vendor bags at beginning of festival day
  • Will communicate to chamber staff if vendor needs assistance from them
  • Location: Throughout Clove A (Greenberg Lot) and Clove B (Station Lot)
GUEST SERVICES / FLOATER
  • Needs to be comfortable on feet for shift and detail oriented to ensure cleanliness of attendee areas and overall stinkin’ good time!
  • Cleans and wipes down dining tables and seating areas multiple times throughout Clove
  • Monitors and restocks porta potties and hand washing stations when low on supplies
  • May need to make or assist in supply runs outside of festival area if necessary
  • Communicates via walkie talkie or relays info to area captain or chamber staff on any issues needing attention within clove areas 
  • Assists with vendor support volunteers if necessary and fills in for other stations during bathroom breaks, etc
  • Location: Throughout Clove A (Greenberg Lot) and Clove B (Station Lot)
SECURITY
  • Will walk clove perimeters and keep eyes on gates and any entry points for any emergencies, fence hoppers, security issues, etc
  • Needs to be vigilant, comfortable being on feet for the duration of shift
  • Walkie talkie provided and communication with local police department and Sheriff will be available; will have active shooter and other emergency prep beforehand
  • Location: Perimeters of Clove A (Greenberg Lot) and Clove B (Station Lot)
SETUP/BREAKDOWN HELP
  • Will require physical lifting, tent and table setup, loading and unloading of chamber equipment from storage to festival sites
  • Fencing crew will install rebar and posts to attaching temporary orange fencing along clove perimeters
  • Barrel crew will be helping to unload 50gal water barrels used as crowd control 
  • Setting up signage throughout cloves
  • Setting up supplies for ticket sales, merch tent, info table
  • Post festival cleanup 
  • Free team lunches!