Friday, November 30, 2018: Parade Step-Off at 8:00PM

Saturday, December 1, 2018: Parade Step-Off at 6:00PM

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND POLICIES

1. Please complete one application per volunteer. If you have a group of volunteers, please use the same "Group Name" on each application, so we can do our best to group you together. (Note that these requests cannot always be accommodated.)

2. Review the volunteer position descriptions and make your selections on the application, listing your first three choices. Costumed character positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers will be matched to costumes based on their physical stature. Complete your application as early as possible. Depending on the number of applications received, some volunteer applicants may not receive a position in the parade. All applicants will be notified of their participation status by November 19, 2018.

3. Volunteers need to be available for approximately five hours on parade day. Most volunteer shifts on November 30, 2018 will begin between 5:00pm and 6:30pm and end prior to 10:00pm. Volunteer shifts on December 1, 2018 will begin between 3:00pm and 4:30pm and end prior to 8:00pm. Assigned times for volunteer positions will be included in a volunteer confirmation packet to be received by November 19, 2018.

4. Volunteer applications are due on or before Thursday November 14, 2018.

5. If chosen to participate, your volunteer confirmation and assignment will be e-mailed along with answers to the most frequently asked questions about volunteering on parade days. If you have not received a confirmation by November 19, please call 303-840-0045 or email Volunteers@DenverParadeOfLights.com.

Attendance

We count on your presence and prompt arrival on your scheduled day. Please take traffic and weather conditions into consideration when planning your trip down to the Parade. If you must change your volunteer assignment, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator immediately!

Snacks

Please make sure to eat before arriving for your volunteer shift. No food or beverages are allowed once in costume. We will have snacks served with warm and cold beverages following the parade.

Transportation & Parking

Volunteers will be responsible for getting to and from the parade staging area. We will send out more information once positions have been assigned on suggested places to park. Carpooling is ideal if you are volunteering with family or friends. Also, please keep in mind that you may need to allow some extra time for street closures, extra traffic, and parking.

Management Policies

Parade management has the right and duty to make decisions onsite that they see best fit for the parade and the safety of those in the staging area and on the parade route. This may include making volunteer assignment changes at any point in time, both leading up to the parade and onsite. All Parade management decisions will be final and at their sole discretion.

In addition, the parade has a no tolerance alcohol, drug (including marijuana), and smoking policy. Any volunteer suspected of violating this policy while volunteering will be removed from the parade. Decisions regarding volunteers suspected of violating the no tolerance alcohol and drug policy will be made by Parade management at their sole discretion.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

IMPORTANT: The parade is approximately two miles in length and one-hour in duration. Your volunteer position may require you to be outdoors for an extended period of time in inclement conditions prior to the beginning of the parade. The parade takes place even in adverse weather conditions!

Balloon Handler (ages 18 and up)

Groups of 14 - 36 volunteers work together as a team to maneuver and move a giant helium balloon along the streets of Downtown. This volunteer position can be strenuous. Volunteers will be rotated on and off balloon tether lines as needed. Training will be provided following volunteer check-in on parade days.

Banner Carrier (ages 14 and up)

Banner Carriers are a crucial part of the parade as they are the first part of every unit. Volunteers will be costumed as elves and assigned in pairs to carry a framed banner preceding each unit.

Costumed Character (ages 11 and up)

While no theatrical experience is needed, you can’t be shy in this volunteer position! Volunteers will dress in a costume provided by the parade and will have their faces painted to correspond with the costume, making the character come alive along the route with choreographed movements. Costumes include gift packages, toy soldiers, pieces of candy, holiday light bulbs and more. Volunteers will be given specific instructions in their acceptance letter as to what color clothing must be worn under their costumes. Many costumes require face-paint (applied by a professional, at Parade management's direction), so individuals with skin sensitivities may want to elect a different position.

Costume Assistant (ages 16 and up)

Costume Assistants work directly with the Parade costume staff to organize and prepare volunteer costumes. They will assist volunteers with costuming before and after the parade. Costume Assistants will be asked to volunteer for the duration of the parade and must be available to help until the last costume is returned (approximately 30 minutes after the parade). This is a great opportunity to be a vital part of the costume room team from start to finish!

Costume Room Support (ages 16 and up)

The costume room buzzes with excitement before and after the parade. Responsibilities include checking in volunteers, distributing costumes, helping people in and out of their costumes and serving refreshments to volunteers. Troop leaders, chaperones and parents can join the fun by volunteering in the costume room.

Grandstand Ambassador (ages 15 and up)

These volunteers greet the parade’s special guests and public at the grandstand seating area. Volunteers will distribute materials and provide assistance in seating guests. This is a great way to volunteer your time and see the parade too!

Grandstand Captain (ages 21 and up)

Each Grandstand Captain will be assigned to manage a section of the grandstands and be the key point of communication between Parade Staff, Security and the Grandstand Ambassadors. You will assist in directing our guests to available seats as well as the ticket sales area.

Reserve Volunteer (ages 11 and up)

If you don’t have a specific area of interest, join the reserve force of volunteers. Reserve Volunteers are on hand to assist with last minute needs or to substitute for other scheduled volunteers. You are not given a specific task until parade day. Reserve Volunteers may also be selected to wear an elf costume and join our finale unit, Santa’s Sleigh, along the route.