DESCRIPTION:
The Grand March is a 60-minute feature that takes place both Friday and Saturday, with a dress rehearsal on Thursday evening. The event features the diverse variety of horse breeds represented at Midwest Horse Fair and showcases their greatest attributes. As a volunteer for the Grand March, you will help with the coordination of the equine line-up, and complete other tasks as needed. Please note: volunteers are needed for the Thursday night rehearsal as well as the Friday and Saturday performances and preference will be given to those who can help at all three times.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Please arrive 15 minutes early each day to check in with the Volunteer Coordinator who is located in the Welcome Center at the front of Pavilion Two for further instruction on where to meet the Grand March Coordinator. This will allow you a few minutes to ask any questions you may have, receive updates that need to be relayed to you, and arrive on time at your work location to relieve the volunteer working the prior shift.
- You will then check in with the Coliseum Coordinator.
- Please dress appropriately for the weather as you will be stationed outside helping to line up horses during your shift. Closed-toe shoes are required.
- For those interested in purchasing snacks or meals, there is a Food Court located between the Coliseum and Nutrena Arena, as well as food vendors in Exhibition Hall, Coliseum, and front of the Pavilions.
- We recommend that you store personal items in your vehicle, as there are no secured areas to store your valuables (purse, backpack, purchases etc.). A coat & package check is located in the lobby of Exhibition Hall if needed.
DUTIES:
- Please be courteous and friendly. Remember that you are representing Midwest Horse Fair. We are grateful for the help of our volunteers, and we depend on your good attitude and kind demeanor to make Midwest Horse Fair a success
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes
- Each shift will last 3 hours. In exchange for working three 3-hour shifts throughout the weekend, volunteers can earn a free 3-day wristband (value $45)
- Assist with the arrangement of horses and riders and help with timing the entrances of handlers. This will involve getting horses in line and into the coliseum, going up the hill to get horses down to line-up, managing the horse's entrance and other duties as assigned.
- Make sure that everyone entering the arena is wearing heeled shoes or appropriate footwear. We ask that you kindly, but resolutely enforce our rule that no flip-flops or open-toe shoes are allowed in the ring
- Make sure that everyone is dressed according to the Grand March Dress Code.
- Ensure that all horse participants have the appropriately colored wristband. No one may enter the arena without a wristband (except a clinician, and they will have a Midwest Horse Fair name badge). If you cannot see a wristband, ask to see it. If they do not have a wristband, or have the wrong color, do not let them in the arena. Kindly direct them to the Grand March Coordinator
- Stay alert at all times and pay attention to your surroundings in case a problem arises and action is required.
- We politely ask that you limit your cell phone usage during your shift
- Other duties may be assigned as needed
- Please be advised that assigned jobs may change as needed at any time per the discretion of Midwest Horse Fair
For safety & liability reasons, this job is best suited for those who:
- Enjoy interacting with people
- Are organized, attentive to detail, courteous, and assertive when necessary
- Able to work a shift Thursday evening along with a shift on Friday and Saturday afternoons
- Can be on their feet for the duration of an entire shift
- Are able-bodied and capable of lifting up to 40 pounds
- Feel comfortable around horses
- Able to fully communicate, hear and understand directions clearly, and react quickly