Volunteers Needed for A Taste of Worthington - Food Festival/Fundraiser

Volunteering is a great way to network and make new business connections, in addition to building a favorable image for your business when you "give back" to help the Chamber with its fundraising and community-building events.

Volunteers are needed to plan and conduct A Taste of Worthington 2013, to be presented by the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce in the parking area at OfficeScape, 350 W. Wilson Bridge Road, on Friday, July 19, 2013, from 5:30 – 10 p.m.

This outdoor summer food-sampling festival is a community event with typical attendance of 5,000 adults and children, in a festive, block party atmosphere featuring local food and family fun. As one of Worthington’s most popular and well-attended community celebrations, the event offers prime sponsorship opportunities for Chamber-member businesses who wish to reach families and consumers of all ages with information about their services and products.

Attendees park free, then pay a modest entry charge of $2 per person (free for children under 6), permitting them access to seated picnic areas where they can enjoy family entertainment (live bands, children’s face painting and play, a “bounce house,” cornhole tournaments, sports team displays and other activities), along with sponsor booths offering information and/or giveaways.

Event guests choose from more than 50 appetizers, entrées and desserts from 24 restaurants — typically priced from $1 to $7 – and then vote for their favorites in a friendly competition that recognizes the best in each category. The menu ranges from fancy fare such as filet mignon and shrimp dishes to simple picnic favorites – and everything in between.

Volunteers are needed before, during and immediately following the event. A committee of volunteers plans the food festival and is responsible for determining fundraising goals, vendor fees and event activities; recruiting restaurants, sponsors and volunteers.; and promoting the event throughout the community. Volunteers also work in two- to three-hour shifts throughout the day of the event, starting about 8 a.m. and ending at 11:30 p.m.

Each volunteer is admitted free, provided complimentary water or soft drinks, and receives an event T-shirt when the T-shirt size is provided in advance. Important: Please indicate your T-shirt size in the "comment" section of the registration. Sizes are adult S, M, L, XL and XXL. Please note: Event volunteers must be 21 and older. Please do not sign family members or staff members who are under age 21 for volunteer assignments.

Volunteers are needed to help with the following tasks. If you are able to assist as a volunteer, please sign up for your desired assignment(s) by clicking REGISTER NOW at the right of the screen and selected the tasks and times that best meet your schedule. Don't forget to enter your T-shirt size under "Comments." Be sure to click "Submit" when you have completed the form. Please enter the number of a cell phone you may be using on the day of the event in the "Phone" column; the number will not be publicized or shared with anyone except the Chamber staff.

The available tasks include:



Planning the event as a committee member (mid-May through July 19 event date): Help to plan the event and recruit sponsors, restaurants and entertainers. Most meetings are on Friday mornings.
Deliver promotional materials to area restaurants and community sites. Assist in posting temporary event signage during the week of the event.
Setup volunteers on the day of the event: Set up temporary fencing on the morning of the event and set up tables, chairs, canopy tents and additional event signage at the event. Place tablecloths on 100-plus tables. Greet vendors and help them find their spaces. Several time slots available.
Admissions gate volunteers: Collect entrance fees at the event. Greet guests. Make change. Hand out programs and ballots. Count admitted guests with mechanical counter. Assist at the Chamber welcome booth.
Staff the Chamber’s beer and wine statin and water/soft drink beverage stations.
Staff entertainment stations such as the “Bounce House” or corn hole tournament.
Cleanup volunteers on the day of the event: Clean up grounds and take down temporary fencing immediately after the event; fold and remove tables, chairs, canopy tents and additional event signage at the event. Remove trash to dumpsters. Shut down beverage stations. Transport equipment to Chamber office at 25 W. New England Ave. Several time slots available.

For more information about available volunteer tasks or to register by phone, call (614) 888-3040. Thank you, in advance, for your interest in volunteering!