Coordinators of Oak Harbor Music Festival busy gathering volunteers

In a little more than a month, downtown Oak Harbor will be transformed into a music festival with 30 bands performing on two different stages over three days. But none of that would be possible without an army of volunteers. Since January, an organizing committee has been meeting weekly to gear up for the second Oak Harbor Music Festival, which takes place Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. Lynn Goebel and Kathy Chalfant have been tasked with coordinating the volunteers for the free community event, which is funded through donations.

By Ron Newberry • July 29, 2013 12:49 pm
Nancy Hakala
Nancy Hakala

In a little more than a month, downtown Oak Harbor will be transformed into a music festival with 30 bands performing on two different stages over three days.

But none of that would be possible without an army of volunteers.

Since January, an organizing committee has been meeting weekly to gear up for the second Oak Harbor Music Festival, which takes place Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.

Lynn Goebel and Kathy Chalfant have been tasked with coordinating the volunteers for the free community event, which is funded through donations.

Goebel and Chalfant held a meeting Thursday night at Oak Harbor City Hall, where 27 people signed up to help volunteer.

More than 100 people have enlisted so far to volunteer, and the search is far from finished.

“You’re putting on a festival. It’s an enormous amount of work,” Goebel said.

Goebel said volunteers are needed to staff two information booths, where they can answer questions and sell T-shirts. Shifts range from two-to-four hours.

Also needed will be a sanitation crew to keep the festival grounds clean, security and attendants at the parking lots and beer gardens. They will need stage greeters.

“The biggest thing is Friday (Aug. 30) we are going to need all kinds of volunteers to set up for the festival,” Goebel said. “We’re going to need all kinds of volunteers Saturday to set up. And Sunday night, to clean up.”

 

Those interested in volunteering may contact Goebel at 360-240-0530 for more information. The website for the festival is www.oakharborfestival.com, where one may also view the band lineup.

 

Goebel said a second volunteer meeting will be held Aug. 15 at City Hall, where people may sign up for specific duties.

One of the festival’s bands, Tambourine Sky, will be performing at Flyers Restaurant and Brewery in Oak Harbor on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. to promote the festival.

Flyers has agreed to donate a percentage of its proceeds from 5-10 p.m. that evening to the Oak Harbor Music Festival.

The downtown mural being painted by Nancy Hakala also is expected to be completed in time for the festival, which is taking place in historic downtown.