Now we all look like a bunch of dirty tramps, Scattered out through all these jungle camps; Well, I know our shoes ain’t shined, And we can’t dress so fine, But at doin’ work, why we’re the world’s champs! —Dump the Bosses off Your Back, by Utah Phillips

While it may or may not be true that our workers’ shoes ain’t shined, and frankly we don’t care if they are, the volunteers of the Winnipeg Folk Festival are champs!

Want to join the ranks?  Although we can’t guarantee a spot on one of our crews (we have a waiting list every year), we are always accepting applications from folks interested in joining our team. The first step is completing a Volunteer Application Form, either online or by printing a PDF and sending it to us by mail or fax. Volunteer crew descriptions.

• Volunteer Application Form (Web) (18 years or older; Apprentice form not available online - please use PDF below)
• Volunteer Application Form (PDF) (18 years or older)
• Apprentice Volunteer Application (13 to 17 years of age)

Are you a returning volunteer?  No need to complete an application form unless you have not volunteered for the past two years, OR your contact information has changed.

What do we expect? NEW!  We are looking for folks who are available from Wednesday to Sunday and are willing to commit to working shifts during the Festival. The time commitment is twenty to twenty-four hours, usually one four- or five-hour shift per day during the Festival. You must also be able to attend crew meetings and training before the festival in June. (We also have a limited number of opportunities to volunteer on a year-round basis. The time commitment for year-round volunteering is 50 hours.)

ALSO NEW! Our volunteers are our primary stakeholders.  We need to be able to communicate with you on a regular basis.  The best way to do this is through email.  It is mandatory for all volunteers to have a valid email address.

What do we offer in return?  We offer a great benefits packages to our volunteers that includes:

• work experience
• five-day Festival pass with backstage access
• complimentary meals backstage during the Festival weekend
• crew T-shirt
• access to transportation between the Festival hotel in downtown Winnipeg and the Birds Hill Park Festival site
• vehicle access to Birds Hill Park
• one copy of the program book
• access to a private volunteer party on Sunday night after the Main Stage show

Want to get to know some of our volunteers?  Check out some volunteer profiles.

Want to keep in touch with us about volunteer goings on?  Why not sign up for our volunteer newsletter? Email volunteer@winnipegfolkfestival.ca and ask to have your email address added to your volunteer records.

Do you need more information? Contact the festival at 204-231-0096 or volunteer@winnipegfolkfestival.ca.