State Fair volunteer opportunities

2011 Minnesota State Fair

The State Fair is coming to St. Paul, August 25 - September 5, and YOU can be a part of it! Admission tickets to the fair will be provided for each day volunteering with the DNR!

Each year thousands visit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building and Park to see fish, birds, to learn more about their favorite lakes, parks, trails, and to see exhibits on various DNR Programs. The volunteer time commitment is at least one day for 4-6 hours depending on the job. Admission tickets for each day along with instructions and fair information will be sent about 1 week prior to the fair. Parking and meals will be the responsibility of the person volunteering. Contact the person listed at the end of each position for more information.

Smokey Bear and his Voice

For three hours each day of the fair one person will play the costumed character Smokey Bear. Smokey will be required to move among the crowds in and around the DNR building and to pose with people wanting to have their picture taken with him. Smokey does not speak, so another person must be on hand to be his voice and to help him walk as visibility is partially limited with the costume. The Voice of Smokey must be able to introduce the costumed character to people.

QUALIFICATIONS: The person playing Smokey must be 17 years of age or older, be at least 5'7" or taller and have a chest or waist no larger than 46" to best fit the costume. Wearing the costume can get terribly hot so people affected by the heat need to take this under consideration. A cooling vest is provided.

Volunteers are needed 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon and 1:00 - 2:00 PM daily. This Smokey cannot volunteer for the parade on the same day.

At least 2 sets of Smokeys and Voices are needed on Friday, August 26, for shifts every other hour from 10 AM -- 3 PM on Fire Prevention Day of the fair. Contact Renée Vail, DNR Volunteer Programs, at 651-259-5249, or email renee.vail@state.mn.us to play Smokey or his Voice during the fair.

Adopt-a-River Exhibit

Volunteers are needed to staff our outdoor booth/tent, and explain DNR's Adopt-a-River Program to fair-goers. The Adopt-a-River Program encourages Minnesota volunteers to adopt a section of a lake, river, pond, wetland, ditch or ravine to ensure its long-term health through annual cleanups. Training materials will be mailed to volunteers prior to the fair followed up with a phone call from Adopt-a-River staff. Volunteers must enjoy meeting people, have some natural resource experience or education, and must be able to physically set-up and take down display materials. Volunteers are needed all 12 days of the fair. Shifts are 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM or 1:00 - 5:30 PM. Only the 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. will be available on Sundays during the fair. Contact Paul Nordell at 651-259-5630, Charlene Brooks at 651-259-5620 or email Adoptariver.dnr@state.mn.us