We value the time and effort that volunteers put in to make our events successful, and we do our best to take great care of you!
Here are a few of the exclusive benefits available in Volunteer HQ at both Up Your Alley and Folsom Street Fair.
Wearing your name badge will give you access to these great perks. You are welcome to pick up your name badge early to access Volunteer HQ and Hospitality before and after your shift.
EARLY MORNING
We suggest wearing layers in case of wind or before the morning fog burns off. If you're helping set up the Fair, wear something that you won't mind getting a little dirty.
DURING THE FAIR
You will most likely be standing in the sun and/or moving around a lot. Feel free to wear things that are fun and in the spirit of the fair if working during fair hours, but make sure you apply sunscreen and wear sensible shoes to ensure you are comfortable and able to perform your duties!
LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING
We suggest wearing layers because the wind can start to pick up and fog roll in during the late afternoon. We suggest wearing a warm jacket, pants, and closed-toe shoes. If you're helping to break down the Fair, wear something that you won't mind getting a little dirty.
You can always bring more than one outfit and store it in the Volunteer HQ Coat Check. Coat Check will remain open until the last volunteer leaves.
For Up Your Alley, we recommend that you show up 5-10 minutes early for your shift (unless your shift starts in the early morning, in which case we ask you to arrive on time).
For Folsom Street Fair, we recommend that you show up 25-30 minutes early for your shift (unless your shift starts in the early morning, in which case we ask you to arrive on time).
Arriving early will give you enough time to walk through the Fair to get to Volunteer HQ, get checked in and pick up your Name Badge, use Coat Check, grab a bite to eat, and get to your assigned location on time.
If you are running late, please show up anyway!
We strongly suggest that you not drive on Fair Day -- traffic and parking are incredibly congested around the edges of the fair, and run the risk of not only making you late, but having you flustered and frustrated when you finally arrive!
There are multiple bus lines in the area, and the fair is also easily accessible via BART or MUNI subway lines.
You may park you bike in Volunteer HQ is there is space, but not to a barricade or tree trunk. There is also Bicycle Parking for Fairgoers, but there may be a suggested donation and it will close in the evening.
UP YOUR ALLEY
Proceed directly to Volunteer HQ on Dore Alley at Folsom Street (on the SOUTH Side) to check in for your volunteer shift when you arrive at the Fair.
FOLSOM
Proceed directly to the Volunteer Check-In Booth on Dore Alley at HOWARD Street to check in for your volunteer shift when you arrive at the Fair. DO NOT arrive via Folsom Street -- you will not be able to walk up Dore Alley to get to Howard St.
Please print your Eventbrite volunteer registration or download it to your smartphone prior to the Fair to make check-in go quickly and smoothly. If you cannot find your registration or forget to bring it, we can still check you in by looking up your name.
Once you've checked in, we will give you a name badge and then dispatch you to your shift Supervisor and location to complete your shift.
Wearing your name badge will give you access to great perks like the Hospitality Tent. You are welcome to pick up your name badge early to access Volunteer HQ and Hospitality before and after your shift.
Once you've completed your shift (and hopefully had fun!) please check out with your shift Supervisor. This way, we know that you completed your entire shift. You are not required return to Volunteer HQ after your shift to check-out.
You are welcome to keep your name badge as a souvenir!
We will give you a Folsom-branded water bottle pouch that you can fill at a Water Monster in Volunteer HQ before your shift.
If you prefer, you may also bring a non-disposable lightweight water bottle with you, such as a Nalgene, Sigg, or Camelbak, preferably with a carabiner or clip.
Due to a new San Francisco ordinance No. 009-17 - Bottled Water and Package Free Ordinance, single-serve water bottles cannot be sold or provided on public property at a permitted event. This ordinance helps reduce waste and encourages the use of refilling stations. To make water available to volunteers and fairgoers, FSE has located Water Towers throughout the fairground.
You are more than welcome to sign up for the same shift as a friend!
When you meet with your Shift Supervisor on Fair day, please proactively request to be stationed/assigned to the same area as a friend. If we have enough volunteers to double-up, we will do our best to honor your request to be placed together.
However, if we are short-staffed or unforeseen needs arise, we may need to split up pairs to provide more coverage for the Fair. Assignments are always made based on the needs of the specific department on the day of the Fair.
Our parties and street fairs will happen with more regularity than the US Postal Service! In cases of rain, sleet, snow, fog, or just ridiculously cold, we'll still be there and we need all of our volunteers there as well!
If we're lucky, we'll have warm weather and sunny skies. Please bring a durable water bottle (e.g., Nalgene) to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.