Sandpoint Renaissance Faire seeking volunteers

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Renaissance Faire is actively looking for more volunteers to help with various parts of the set up, break down, and during the two-day event taking place next month.

Shaun Chaffee, this year’s volunteer coordinator, said that not only are volunteers needed to run the event, but staff are looking for individuals willing to help in the week leading up to the event, working to set up booths and get things in order. Additionally, people are needed in the week after the event to help clean up and return the fairgrounds to its original order.

Volunteer duties and positions vary, with everything from town criers, to groundskeeping prep, to guardsman, to decoration crew, to front gate assistance, to transportation, to the information booth.

“Basically, people apply with their interests, talents, skills and availability, then we reach out with our task list and see if they can assist in certain areas,” Chaffee said.

This Saturday, May 25, will be a hands-on groundskeeping workday, Chaffee said, to get the fairgrounds ready for the influx of guests it will see in the next few weeks. During the event, Chaffee said volunteers can alternate between various volunteer stations based on where they’re needed. Costumes are not required for volunteers, but are always encouraged.

Tent camping will be available onsite for any volunteers wanting to stay overnight. If volunteers wish to camp on the grounds, they will need to let Chaffee know immediately so site reservations can be made.

Individuals who volunteer more than four hours of their time at the faire will receive a free ticket to the event.

“Past that, we give out free T-shirts, pins and other merch based on how much people help us out,” Chaffee said. “We are also a non-profit, so some people have jobs that can reimburse their volunteer hours with us and get paid to help us — depends on if they have an employer that does that.”

Visit sandpointrenfaire.com/volunteers to view the volunteer application. Questions about volunteering can be sent via the Faire website or to Chaffee’s Facebook page.

The Sandpoint Renaissance Faire will take place June 8-9 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.