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MerleFest 2023 Stage Crew Volunteer Application

Stage Crew Scheduling may take longer due to line-up confirmations. You MUST be 18 on or before your first scheduled shift be eligible to volunteer. ALL volunteers must submit a recent photo before application is processed. First time volunteers must submit a $50 deposit via personal check which will be returned after successful completion of ALL scheduled assignments. See information at end of application. If you are not Stage Crew, please click here for the Individual Volunteer Application.

Volunteer Information

* First Name

* Last Name

Profile Photo (.jpg, .png, or .gif)
Please upload or email photo to merlefest.volunteer@wilkescc.edu

* Email Address

* Phone (Best Number)

Additional Phone Number

* Address

Address 2

* City

* State/Region

* Zip/Postal Code

* Country

* Emergency contact info Name, Relationship, Phone # (primary/secondary)

* Date of Birth (you must be 18 by your first scheduled shift to volunteer)

* Some volunteer tasks may include heavy lifting/moving equipment. Are you able to perform such tasks?

* Have you volunteered for MerleFest within the last 5 years?

Previous Experience Notes If you have volunteered at MerleFest before please list the year and areas below. Also please list any festivals you have past experience with and the area you worked.

* Are you available for setup and tear down shifts? Setup and tear down shifts include more heavy lifting than regular stage crew shifts. Good work shoes/boots and gloves are recommended.

* Are you Available for Late Night Jam (10:30pm - 12:30am)?

Do you need to be scheduled at the same time as another volunteer? If so please include their name below, if they have already received their volunteer schedule include their shifts below. Please note, if you ask to be scheduled with another person we will wait until we receive both applications before assigning either one of you shifts.

* T-Shirt Size

Additional Comments

Shift Preferences

Please select ALL days and times you are available. You can specify preferred shifts in the comments section above. Some shifts fill up quickly so marking multiple times of day as available means you’re more likely to get assigned a shift for every day you want to work! If you would like to be considered for pre-festival (Tuesday or Wednesday) setup work please also note that in the comments section above.

School Outreach Availability

* Are you available to work a Thursday school outreach? Outreach volunteers help a festival band with their outreach performance at a local school. You must have your own transportation. Morning outreach shifts start at 8:30am, afternoon shifts start at 12:30pm. Working two outreaches earns you two days admission.

Volunteer Guidelines View PDF

FIRST TIME VOLUNTEER DEPOSIT POLICY - Anyone who has never worked as an individual MerleFest volunteer, or has failed to report to a scheduled volunteer position in previous years without notifying MerleFest, must send a personal check for $50 made out to MerleFest Volunteer to Post Office Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Applications for first year volunteers will not be processed until the MerleFest Volunteer Coordinator has received the volunteer deposit. This check will be held until the final day of scheduled shifts. The deposit check and volunteer pin may be picked up at Flattop's Getaway after the successful completion of all scheduled shifts. Checks not picked up will be shredded. Only personal checks will be accepted. No cash, money orders, etc.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS - Notification of cancellation for MerleFest must be received by 5pm EST April 15th. This includes any individual shift cancellations. New volunteers who cancel after that date or fail to successfully complete any volunteer shift, will have their deposit check cashed by MerleFest. Neither new volunteers nor veterans who cancel after April 15th will be considered for volunteer positions the following year.

By checking here you verify that you will be 18 years old on or before your first scheduled shift.

By submitting this application I agree not to hold Wilkes Community College, Wilkes Community College Foundation, their boards and/or staff responsible or liable for accidents, loss, theft, or claims resulting from my participation. By submission of this application, I also grant permission for publication of any photo or video in which I may appear.

About the Event

MerleFest is a celebration of ‘traditional plus’ music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles.

Learn More

Contact Us

Email: merlefest@wilkescc.edu
Phone (U.S.): (800) 343-7857
Phone (Outside U.S.): (336) 838-6267