Festival Setup

Setup starts on the Monday before the festival when we move onto the site and begin to mark out the locations of the marquees toilets etc and check the area for potential safety hazards.

One of the first jobs is to lay a temporary roadway to protect the footpaths that run through the area. Once this is done we can allow contractors on site to erect the main marquee and deliver storage containers, skips, security fencing, toilets and the festival office. Wherever possible we use the canals to transport items stored locally.

Over the next few days we have to install and test electricity and water points, build a bar, erect and light a stage, fit-out a kitchen and wire-up the public address system.

Whilst a lot of the work is physical we also need help in the festival office to ensure that visitor information packs are ready,  delivery paperwork is checked and filed, enquiries from press and public are answered and possibly the most important job, keeping track of who has the container and generator keys!

The main site works have to be completed by Thursday afternoon ready for electrical and fire safety inspections. If all has gone to plan then Friday sees the final touches like putting out rubbish bins, beer mats and setting up the BBQs.

What needs Doing?

The Black Country Boating Festival combines a gathering of boats with a community festival. There are many aspects of the event that need coordinating before, during and after the actual weekend.

Waterspace Management - The Harbour Master and his team need to juggle trade boats, historic displays, boats with crews that have special needs and last minute visitors. Planning of the moorings begins in July however the hard work starts on the Wednesday before the festival when the boats start to arrive.

Trade and Charity Stalls, Concessions and Caravans - Like the Harbour Master the Trade Manager and his team start to plan the landside of the event as the bookings arrive and are on-site from Tuesday marking out and fine tuning.

Entertainment and Attractions - Selecting and booking the various entertainment for the event starts early in the year. During the weekend the team ensure all is happening when and where it should.

Bar and Catering - The Bar Manager and Catering Staff start working on site from the Wednesday having already chosen and ordered stocks for the event. But as we all know the real work is keeping 12,000 plus visitors and volunteers fed and watered throughout the festival.

Publicity and Sponsorship - without visitors there would not be a festival. The publicity and sponsorship team work all year round promoting the event and seeking sponsors to help out with the ever increasing costs.

Health and Safety, Site Services - Looking after the red-tape of permissions, insurance and safety inspections, the team have to provide everything from temporary roads and toilets to litter picking and lights, not forgetting signs and skips, marquees and muscle!

During The Festival

Kingstanding Army Cadet Force provide the bulk of our marshals over the weekend but we always need more.

As well as volunteers to assist the public and monitor site safety we need staff to help sell raffle tickets and hand out festival programs at the site entrances.

If you can spare an hour or two to help then please let us know.

When its Over

It takes a year to arrange, a week to put together and then we have 24 hours to pack it all away and tidy-up the site!

If you can spare any time Sunday evening or Monday morning then we need you.

Your are Covered

To meet both insurance and health and safety requirements ALL volunteers must ‘sign-in’ at the office before starting work.