State Fair volunteer opportunities

2009 Minnesota State Fair

The State Fair is coming to St. Paul, August 27 - September 7, and YOU can be a part of it!

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.

Visit the DNR's State Fair page for more information about the exhibit including schedules, and what's new this year.

Camper Cabin Host

Feel like you’re in a north woods cabin as you greet visitors to the Minnesota State Parks and Trails camper cabin. The cabin was a big hit last year and this year Minnesota State Parks and Trails will again display an actual camper cabin for fair-goers to explore. Greet guests, answer simple questions, and hand out literature. If you are great at customer service and enjoy meeting people, come “spend time at the cabin.”

No training is needed. You’ll be provided with a fact sheet to help answer questions. Your admission ticket is free. Volunteer for a half-day and spend the rest of the day enjoying the fair. Shifts are 9 AM – 3 PM and 2:30–8 PM each day of the fair. Contact Gloria Bjornsen at 651-259-5607 or Gloria.Bjornsen@dnr.state.mn.us to volunteer. We will send your admissions ticket, parking instructions, and a fact sheet two weeks prior to the fair. Thank you from Minnesota State Parks and Trails!

Lake Data Assistant

Help the Division of Fisheries process requests from fair goers for information on their favorite lakes. You will enter the name of the lake and its location into a computer and generate reports on the size, depth, and clarity of lakes along with the species of fish found there. Computer training will be held Wednesday, August 12, 12:00 noon at the DNR Building, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, 2nd floor conference room. Volunteers are needed 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM, or 3:30 - 7:30 PM daily at the fair. Contact Renée Vail, DNR Volunteer Programs, at 651-259-5249, or email renee.vail@state.mn.us to help in the lake data booth.

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.

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 28, 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.

Adopt-a-River Exhibit

Volunteers are needed to staff an outdoor tent booth 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. No morning shifts will be available on Sundays during the fair. Contact Paul Nordell at 651-259-5630, Eva Johnson at 651-259-5620 or email Adoptariver.dnr@state.mn.us