Volunteer Job Info

When Summerfair 2013, Cincinnati’s annual fine arts and crafts fair, opens its gates for its 46th year on Friday, May 31, thousands of patrons will enjoy three days of great art, music and food thanks to a large contingent of local volunteers. Since its beginnings in Eden Park in 1968, Summerfair has been an event planned and overseen by volunteers and this year, more than 400 volunteers will be needed to work during Summerfair 2013, on May 31, June 1 & 2, at Coney Island.

“Summerfair wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers,” said Fair Chair Anne Poppe.  "As you can imagine, Summerfair is a rather large undertaking with more than 300 artists participating in the fair, as well as performances to coordinate, food vendors to work with, children’s activities to be planned and hundreds of other tasks.”

Volunteer positions average a two hour time commitment and include working admission gates, in the Youth Arts area, in poster and t-shirt sales and hospitality. All volunteers will receive free admission to the fair, free parking, and bottled water during their shift.

Volunteer Perspective  

In 1967, a group of Mt. Adams residents decided to hold an arts festival on the local streets to salute the opening of the new Playhouse in the Park. Artist Karen Kelly, one of the originators of the event remembers:

“With the help of friends in Mt. Adams, we started planning our first festival. We met every Wednesday night until we had the event planned. My job was publicity and promotion. I made the first posters on yellow construction paper using a big silk screen. We had no money, so all of our efforts were based on what we could pull from our own pockets plus a lot of begging from those who showed any interest in helping. . . . From that committee sprung some of the hardest workers around.”

Summerfair Cincinnati continues to depend upon the enthusiasm, cooperation and dedication of hundreds of volunteers for the success of its fine arts festival as well as other events and activities throughout the year. Summerfair’s volunteer corp represents students and seniors, parents and professionals, artists and arts enthusiasts from 8 counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.

Fair Volunteer Job Descriptions

Admission Gate: Welcome visitors to Summerfair! Tear tickets in half, hand out programs, and/or stamp hands for return to the fair.  This is an ideal area to work with a group of friends.

Poster/T-shirt Sales: Sell collectible Summerfair posters, t-shirts and souvenirs.  Note- there is a responsibility with collecting money and making change.  You will be working with Summerfair members as well as other volunteers. Each shift is limited to 2 - 3 volunteers.

Hospitality: Make the exhibitors welcome by serving light snacks and soft drink beverages along with a Summerfair member.  This area will be in a sheltered location.  Note- there is a responsibility with collecting money and making change. Each shift is limited to 2 volunteers.

Youth Arts: Help inspire children with pre-planned art activities.  The Youth Arts area is in a sheltered area.  Feel free to wear “play” clothes as you will be working with the children.

Volunteer Forms

Positions for Summerfair 2013 have almost all been filled. There are a few spots here and there to be filled. If you are interested, please send an email to info@summerfair.org. Provide your name, phone number, email address and the days and times you are available. We will check the openings and see if we can match you up for a shift or two!

Volunteer positions will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.