State Fair volunteer opportunities

2008 Minnesota State Fair

The State Fair is coming to St. Paul, August 21 - September 1, and YOU can be a part of it!!! Each year thousands visit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building and Park to see fish, gain new information about their favorite lakes, and to see exhibits on DNR Programs. Unless otherwise noted, contact Renee Vail, DNR Volunteer Programs, at 651-259-5249, or email renee.vail@dnr.state.mn.us if you are interested in any of the following positions. Time commitment is at least one day for 4-5 hours depending on the job. Admission tickets for each day will be provided, but parking will be the responsibility of the person volunteering.

CamperCabin Host

Feel like you're in a north woods cabin as you greet visitors and help them go online to make reservations for a Minnesota State Parks camper cabin. For the first time, Minnesota State Parks will display an actual camper cabin for fair-goers to explore. Greet guests, answer simple questions, hand out literature, and assist visitors in navigating the reservation Web site. If you are friendly and enjoy meeting people, and have basic Internet skills, come "spend time at the cabin." You’ll be briefed on using the Web site, and a basic guide with an overview of the site will be provided. Your admission ticket is free — volunteer for a half-day and spend the rest of the day playing at the fair. Shifts are 7:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 12:15–4:45 p.m. each day of the fair. Contact Gloria Bjornsen at 651-259-5607 or email Gloria.Bjornsen@dnr.state.mn.us to volunteer. Thank you from Minnesota State Parks!

Lake data assistant

Help the Division of Fisheries process requests from fair goers for information on their favorite lakes. You will enter the name of the lake and its location into a computer and generate reports on the size, depth, and clarity of lakes along with the species of fish found there. Computer training will be held Wednesday, August 13, 12:00 noon at the DNR Building, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, 2nd floor conference room. Volunteers are needed 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m., or 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. daily at the fair.

Smokey bear and his voice

For three hours each day of the fair one person will play the costumed character Smokey Bear. Smokey will be required to move among the crowds in and around the DNR building and to pose with people wanting to have their picture taken with him. Smokey does not speak, so another person must be on hand to be his voice and to help him walk along as visibility is partially limited with the costume. The Voice of Smokey must be able to introduce the costumed character to people and to relay conservation-type messages. QUALIFICATIONS: The person playing Smokey must be 17 years of age or older, be at least 5'7" or taller and have a chest or waist no larger than 46" to best fit the costume. Wearing the costume can get terribly hot so people effected by the heat need to take this under consideration. Volunteers are needed 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon and 1:00-2:00 p.m. daily. At least 2 sets of Smokeys and Voices are needed on Friday, August 22, for shifts every other hour from 10 AM -- 3 PM on Fire Prevention Day of the fair.

Adopt-a-River exhibit

Volunteers are needed to staff an outdoor tent booth and explain DNR's Adopt-A-River Program to fair goers. The Adopt-A-River Program encourages Minnesota volunteers to adopt a section of a lake, river, wetland or ravine to ensure its long-term health through annual cleanups. Training materials will be mailed to volunteers prior to the fair followed up with a phone call from Adopt-A-River staff. Volunteers must enjoy meeting people, have some natural resource experience or education, and must be able to physically set-up and take down display materials. Volunteers are needed all 12 days of the fair. Shifts are 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. No morning shifts will be available on Sundays during the fair. Contact Paul Nordell at 651-259-5630, Megan Godbold at 651-259-5620 or email Adoptariver@dnr.state.mn.us