Volunteer at one of the biggest and best culinary events in the region - the Big Kahuna Labor Day Festival - Flavor Day Weekend!
All volunteers will receive a free volunteer t-shirt, free entry, and tickets for 10 free wings.
The 2025 festival drew over 9,500 attendees who enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 25 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, and businesses. Our attendees come from all over the region, all for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity.
The benefiting charitable organizations for 2026 are the Thompson Cancer Survival Center at Covenant Health and the Educator Resource Center.
Responsibilities vary by shift. See descriptions and sign up below:
- Wednesday, September 2nd: 3pm – 7pm; set up of tables, chairs, etc. both lawns
- Thursday, September 3rd : 8 AM -12 PM, 12 PM - 4 PM & 4 PM - 7 PM: set up tables, chairs, table covers, and similar tasks; on both festival lawns
- Friday, September 4th : 8 AM - 12 PM. 12 PM - 5 PM: put up signs, set up bike racks around the perimeter, set out tables & chairs, and similar tasks may be assigned – on both festival lawns
- Saturday, September 5th : 8 AM- Noon; final details & continued set up on both festival lawns
- Sunday, September 6th - FESTIVAL DAY:
- 10am – 2pm: final details of set up on both festival lawns; work volunteer tent, work front gate/ticket area, merchandise sales; /beer, cleaning VIP area, assisting stage manager, greeting ticket holders, breakdown and cleanup from event, and similar tasks
- 1:30pm- 5:30pm: work volunteer tent, merchandise booth, work front gate/ticket area; assist stage manager for contests, serving in the Wings around the World tent, work in kid’s area; help where needed
- 5:30pm - 10pm: duties same as afternoon shift; but after fireworks at end of night(9pm), - help cut down signs around both lawns, pull up covers on tables, similar duties as assigned
Other Details:
- Bring water/snacks - we won’t have snacks for volunteers so make sure to have what you want with you.
- Wear comfortable clothes
- All shifts will happen rain or shine - so be prepared for either
Parking:
It’s gonna be a little tricky – especially with a home football game! If you’re volunteering on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday – you can park at any of the downtown garages and walk over, or park at the Blackstock lot
On Sunday, you can park in the 11th street garage – and walk to the Clinch Avenue bridge – where volunteer check in will be. Please look for that specific tent. Please allow yourself plenty of time to park. The later in the day it gets – the harder it may be to find parking close to the World’s Fair Park lawn. Just give yourself plenty of time. We’ll continue to learn about parking as we get closer – and we’ll have final details about that as we approach the weekend.
Volunteer Check-In:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – find committee staff on the Performance lawn of Worlds Fair Park (the bigger lawn). We’ll have details ironed out
Passes & Wing Tickets:
We should have your passes/wing tickets for you after your shift ends. If you’re working the later afternoon shift on Sunday – but want to eat wings before your shift starts – that is great with us. However, we are trusting you to show up for your shift once you’re done eating! Please – don’t leave us hanging!
Details
18 and older, but 16 if parent/ guardian is present to volunteer with them
Outdoor Festival: All shifts will happen rain or shine - so be prepared for that
