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!
When you select one (or a couple of shifts) this is your shift. You can cancel your shift if you need to, but just know once you sign up for a shift, you have actually signed up for the shift. Don’t worry, we will remind you as you get closer to that date and shift.
2023 Garlic Town, USA Volunteer Roles & Descriptions
TICKET SCANNING & SALES
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Needs to be comfortable using mobile device and Eventbrite app to scan attendee electronic tickets
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Needs to be comfortable swiping and processing credit card payments for attendees
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Needs to assist attendees who may be having issues purchasing tickets on their phone
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Providing wristbands to attendees after successful ticket sale or check in of pre-sales
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Will need to attend at least one training night prior to festival
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Welcome to use personal phone or festival provided ticket scanner device
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Receives a free mobile charger when using personal cell phone
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Will be logged into private Chamber Eventbrite account prior to scanning by captain
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Locations: coming soon
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
- Location: coming soon
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: coming soon
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: coming soon
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
- Location: coming soon
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
- Location:
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: coming soon
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: coming soon
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 and Clove B
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!