About
East Tennessee's premiere hot air balloon festival! This two-day, 15,000 person event is the festival of a lifetime.
WHEN: Sat & Sun, October 28-29, 2023 | 2:00 - 8:00 PM, daily
WHERE: 295 W. Dumplin Valley Rd, Jefferson City, TN (off I-40 exit 417)
VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE: Free lunch voucher & free two day adult ticket to festival.
The Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest is our non-profit’s “main event.” The festival is two days, and attendees have the opportunity to ride in hot air balloons, watch a balloon glow at dusk, listen to live music, taste local wine and beer, enjoy a VIP ascension breakfast, shop small craft boutiques and vendors, play in the kid’s fair area, walk through an antique tractor show, and much more.
AGE: 12 years & older. Some shifts require a minimum age of 18 or 21.
MOBILITY CONCERNS: This event is held on a working hay farm. The terrain is rough in some areas. We do have several tented & seated volunteer options for people with mobility issues. If you do not have mobility issues, please leave those shifts for those who do. Volunteers without mobility issues should expect to lift at least 10 pounds and stay standing for an hour or longer without a break.
BACKGROUND CHECKS: Not required. However, if you have been convicted of a felony or child abuse, do not apply to volunteer. If you are found to be volunteering as a convicted felon or child abuser, we will escort you off the property and will prosecute accordingly.
KIDS FAIR: Experience with children is required for people working in the kids fair area. Please explain your experience in the space provided when you sign up.
SMOKING & ALCOHOL: This is a non-smoking event. You may not consume alcohol on the property while volunteering.
Shifts (50)
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | 11:00am (ET) | 3:00pm (ET) | Help setup and cleanup the event. | 6/10 | Register |
| Setup | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Help setup and cleanup the event. | 2/15 | Register |
| Balloon Crew | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 3/10 | Register |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | 7:00am (ET) | 11:00am (ET) | Help setup and cleanup the event. | 9/10 | Register |
| Setup | 10:00am (ET) | 2:00pm (ET) | Help setup and cleanup the event. | 13/15 | Register |
| Floater | 12:30pm (ET) | 4:30pm (ET) | Report to volunteer coordinator and fill in volunteer gaps when needed. | 5/15 | Register |
| Balloon Crew | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 12/25 | Register |
| Kids Fair | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Monitor Kids Fair Inflatables. Manage capacity limits in each inflatable and manage "wait line" of children. Experience with children preferred. Must be willing and able to verbally direct, redirect, and assist children. AGE: 16 & older MOBILITY: Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift at... | 5/15 | Register |
| Ticketing Tents | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Work at the ticketing booth at festival entrance. Must have experience with smartphone. You will download the Eventbrite app to scan in attendees. Bring a cell phone charger. | 11/15 | Register |
| Trash | 3:00pm (ET) | 7:00pm (ET) | Empty Trashcans, Pickup Loose Trash. You will be given disposable gloves and trash grabbers to help. | 0/5 | Register |
| Band Volunteer | 4:00pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Help at Mainstage Music Tent | 0/2 | Register |
| Kids Fair/Floater | 4:00pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Monitor Kids Fair Inflatables. Manage capacity limits in each inflatable and manage "wait line" of children. Experience with children preferred. Must be willing and able to verbally direct, redirect, and assist children. AGE: 16 & older MOBILITY: Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift at... | 0/10 | Register |
| Shuttles/Floater | 4:00pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Drive golf cart shuttles around festival grounds for handicapped attendees. Fill in where needed. | 2/8 | Register |
| Ticketing Tents | 4:00pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Work at the ticketing booth at festival entrance. Must have experience with smartphone. You will download the Eventbrite app to scan in attendees. Bring a cell phone charger. | 2/15 | Register |
| Balloon Crew | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 8/25 | Register |
| Trash | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Empty Trashcans, Pickup Loose Trash. You will be given disposable gloves and trash grabbers to help. | 0/5 | Register |
| Cleanup | 6:00pm (ET) | 10:00pm (ET) | Help cleanup the event. | 1/10 | Register |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balloon Crew | 7:00am (ET) | 11:00am (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 6/25 | Register |
| Floater | 7:00am (ET) | 11:00am (ET) | Report to volunteer coordinator and fill in volunteer gaps when needed. | 3/10 | Register |
| Setup | 10:00am (ET) | 2:00pm (ET) | Help setup and cleanup the event. | 2/10 | Register |
| Setup | 10:00am (ET) | 2:00am (ET) | Setup for Festival | 1/7 | Register |
| Balloon Crew | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 7/25 | Register |
| Floater | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Report to volunteer coordinator and fill in volunteer gaps when needed. | 0/15 | Register |
| Trash | 1:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | Empty Trashcans, Pickup Loose Trash. You will be given disposable gloves and trash grabbers to help. | 0/4 | Register |
| Kids Fair | 1:30pm (ET) | 5:30pm (ET) | Monitor Kids Fair Inflatables. Manage capacity limits in each inflatable and manage "wait line" of children. Experience with children preferred. Must be willing and able to verbally direct, redirect, and assist children. AGE: 16 & older MOBILITY: Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift at... | 11/15 | Register |
| Ticketing Tents | 4:00pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Work at the ticketing booth at festival entrance. Must have experience with smartphone. You will download the Eventbrite app to scan in attendees. Bring a cell phone charger. | 2/15 | Register |
| Kids Fair | 4:30pm (ET) | 8:00pm (ET) | Monitor Kids Fair Inflatables. Manage capacity limits in each inflatable and manage "wait line" of children. Experience with children preferred. Must be willing and able to verbally direct, redirect, and assist children. AGE: 16 & older MOBILITY: Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift at... | 0/8 | Register |
| Balloon Crew | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Assist with balloon crew. Includes holding ropes for tie downs, chase crew, information runner, etc. | 6/25 | Register |
| Band Volunteer | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Help at Mainstage Music Tent | 0/2 | Register |
| Shuttles | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Drive golf cart shuttles around festival grounds for handicapped attendees. | 2/6 | Register |
| Trash | 5:00pm (ET) | 9:00pm (ET) | Empty Trashcans, Pickup Loose Trash. You will be given disposable gloves and trash grabbers to help. | 0/5 | Register |
| Cleanup | 6:00pm (ET) | 10:00pm (ET) | Help cleanup the event. | 2/10 | Register |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanup | 10:00am (ET) | 2:00pm (ET) | Help cleanup the event. | 1/15 | Register |
| Cleanup | 12:00pm (ET) | 4:00pm (ET) | Help cleanup the event. | 0/10 | Register |