© 2008 Black Country Boating Festivals Limited
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-
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.
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.
It takes a year to arrange, a week to put together and then we have 24 hours to pack
it all away and tidy-
If you can spare any time Sunday evening or Monday morning then we need you.
To meet insurance and health and safety requirements ALL volunteers must ‘sign-