The simple answer is YES!
The event is run totally by volunteers and to make sure it is both safe and successful
we need adult volunteers to help with all aspects of organising and running the festival.
During the year the planning team meet once a month to discuss activities and check
progress. If you would like be part of the team and help shape the festival then
come along and join us.
Planning for each festival starts even before the previous years has been staged!
Dates have to be set, logos designed and entry forms printed.
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!
