Volunteer Information and Sign Up

*Please read the information on this page first, then click the button at the bottom of the page to sign up

Pre-Signup Information

Volunteering at Pickin in the Pines requires physical activity including standing, walking, and some lifting. Respect your limitations and read the volunteer job descriptions below. Please only sign up to volunteer after reading through this page to make sure volunteering is a good fit for you.

You will sign up for two 4-hour and 15 minute shifts (approximately 8.5 hours total), in exchange for one 3-day festival pass. Morning, afternoon, or evening/closing shifts are available. There are a few positions before and after the festival. Please see job descriptions for more details.

What it means to be a volunteer at Pickin’ in the Pines

Why are volunteers, affectionately called “Team Bluegrass,” invaluable to the Festival?

Every September thousands of music lovers from far and wide join the Flagstaff community for the best music festival in Arizona. Some of those friendly folks decide to share their enthusiasm by volunteering, enhancing the experience of all who attend. The Festival succeeds because of individuals like you, individuals who chose to spend their time and effort on this dream. Without volunteers, there would be no festival.

Benefits of Volunteering

Your commitment to volunteering (8.5 hours) will earn you a free weekend pass to the Festival. Camping is not included when you volunteer. If you are accepted as a volunteer and would like to camp at Fort Tuthill during the Festival, please read the camping information before applying and see additional camping instructions and pricing towards the bottom of this page.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you are 18 or older and can commit to the volunteering requirements. There are a limited number of volunteer slots. First priority will be given to returning volunteers who received a good report from a team director in previous years. Second priority will be given to those who sign up earlier rather than later, so get your submission in! The festival staff reserve the right to decline volunteer help to any individual.

Volunteer Commitment

Commitment is essential—we are a team and rely on each other to be on time with a smile, and to be ready, willing and able to perform the required tasks.

The standard volunteer requirement is that you work two, 4-hour and 15 minute shifts (total 8.5 hours) during/before/after the Festival, as assigned by the Festival volunteer management staff. You will be able to select job and time preferences on the signup form. There are fewer opportunities on days before and after the Festival. You are expected to be at your shift post 15 minutes in advance of the stated shift start time.

Volunteer Expectations

Rarely do we encounter anyone at a traditional music festival who is not friendly, cheerful and courteous! We find it easy to show our best face while on duty. The following ground rules help us continue the tradition:

  • You represent the Festival while on duty and while wearing a volunteer t-shirt (including before and after the music is playing)
  • During the Festival weekend, wear your volunteer shirt only when on duty (bring or wear another shirt underneath).
  • Be at your post 15 minutes prior to shift start to give the captain and/or the previous shift’s volunteers the opportunity to orient you.
  • Be sober before and during your shifts.
  • Smile! It is a privilege to volunteer for this festival. Share the excitement!
  • Abide by the Festival’s rules and policies
  • Abide by the Pepsi Amphitheater’s rules and regulations.
  • Children may not accompany you during volunteer shifts. We need your full attention during your scheduled volunteer shifts. Of course, they are welcome to join you at the festival and in the campground (if you have purchased camping).

Volunteer Shift Timing

Most but not all individual shifts are 4 hours and 15 minutes long. Most volunteers work two, non-consecutive shifts. There are three shifts to choose from:
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Sometimes a shift might go long or end early for various reasons. We have noted odd shift times, where currently known, under the Job descriptions, below. (Occasionally a shift time needs to be modified at the last minute. We appreciate your flexibility if this happens to your shift.)

Volunteer Jobs

You will be able to sign up for your shifts when you submit your SignUp Genius form. We prefer volunteers to select shifts in the same area (i.e. two shifts with Amphitheater). Below are short explanations of the duties and expectations of each. (Occasionally, we will need to change a volunteer’s job to one they did not request, due to unpredictable circumstances. If this happens, we would appreciate your understanding.)

This team is responsible for festival equipment setup and takedown in the amphitheater. Duties include assisting the Amphitheater Facilities Director with setting up festival canopies, arranging folding chairs, hanging banners, and general festival support as needed. 

EXPECTATIONS: This job requires physical labor. Amphitheater Facilities Director will specify other duties as needed.

This team is responsible for a variety of duties within the campgrounds. To be an effective member of this team, flexibility, multitasking and working at a fast pace is essential. You will assist with setup, monitoring, and cleanup of campgrounds. You will check-in campers, assist campers in finding their campsites, direct campers to the box office to obtain their festival/camping wristband, inform campers there is a complementary shuttle running between the campground and the amphitheater, and answer general questions. The campground Directors and Day Captains will specify daily responsibilities and other duties.

EXPECTATIONS: You must be able to walk a short distance and stand for your 4-hour shift. You must be kind, responsible, and approachable.

Greet attendees, ensure that they are wearing the proper wristband before they enter the amphitheater. This is the main entrance to the festival and sets the tone of a friendly event. This position is for people who can work quickly with a smile. 

EXPECTATIONS: You must be able to stand for your 4-hour shift, be kind, responsible, and approachable while calmly standing firm in your direction and remaining at your post until relieved.

This team will assist the Facilities Asset Director with loading and transporting supplies from the storage unit to the Amphitheater, Campground, and festival areas within Ft. Tuthill, as well as setting up festival canopies, and general festival support as needed. Monday shifts are available for the return of festival supplies to the storage unit.

EXPECTATIONS: This job requires physical labor. Facilities Asset Director will specify other duties as needed.

This team is available to fill in for volunteer shortages in all volunteer areas as needed. 

EXPECTATIONS: You must be able to walk a short distance and stand for your shift.  Some physical labor may be required.

This team is responsible for providing a fun and safe atmosphere for children. Volunteers will assist children and their families with pre-planned arts & crafts projects and face painting. This position is for people who enjoy working with children while providing a safe and fun environment.

EXPECTATIONS: Engage, work with, and play with children. Assist with daily setup and breakdown. The Kids Zone Coordinator will specify duties.

Direct vehicles, maintain smooth traffic flow, provide festival information handout. 

EXPECTATIONS:  You must be able to walk a short distance, tolerate the elements (sun, rain, wind, dust, heat) and stand for your 3-hour shift.  This volunteer job requires two 3-hours shifts for a total of 6 hours (instead of 8 for other positions).  You must be kind, responsible, and approachable while calmly standing firm in your direction and remaining at your post until relieved.

This volunteer team assists with safety and security in and around the festival.  Safety team members will be stationed at wristband check areas stage right and left in the amphitheater to maintain a secure backstage area, monitor authorized access to the ADA designated parking lot, assist the professional festival security company to secure the “bus” gate entrance to backstage as well as maintain authorized parking backstage. The Safety team assists the physically impaired in the ADA seating area and ensures seating guidelines are followed for guests on the lawn area.

EXPECTATIONS: As a Safety volunteer, you must be able to walk a short distance and stand for your 4-hour shift. You must be kind, responsible, and approachable while calmly standing firm in your direction and remaining at your post until relieved.

Assist Volunteer Director with volunteer check-in throughout the festival weekend. Additional duties as assigned by Volunteer Director.

EXPECTATIONS: Some standing may be required for this position.

Assist Volunteer Director with set up for volunteer meeting and distribute volunteer t-shirts utilizing a volunteer list to accurately account for volunteer shirts. Additional duties as assigned by Volunteer Director. Some lifting is required to transport t-shirts, table, and chairs to volunteer meeting location.

EXPECTATIONS: Some physical labor and lifting are required to help transport t-shirts, tables, and chairs to volunteer meeting location, some standing may be required.

Volunteer Orientation Meeting:
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at 5:30 pm

The Volunteer Orientation Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 14 at 5:30 pm, located at the parking lot closest to the amphitheater at Ft. Tuthill County Park (you will receive an email with more details and a map). This is a mandatory meeting, PLEASE do everything you can to attend this meeting. This meeting is the first and last pre-Festival, all-volunteer get-together. It is part meet-and-greet, part instruction seminar, part excitement builder, part question-and-answer, and part t-shirt distribution. You will meet with your fellow volunteers, area supervisors and Volunteer Director Marlowe Hage. You will pick up your wristband and sign a volunteer agreement at the box office. Box office days and times will be communicated in a separate email.

What if I cannot attend the Volunteer Orientation Meeting?

PLEASE do everything you can to attend this meeting. Special arrangements will be made for campground volunteers who will already be on duty during the meeting. If you are absolutely unable to attend, please let your section head know via phone or email and they will coordinate with you, and notify the volunteer supervisors via email at volunteer@pickininthepines.org so that they know to train you when you arrive.

If you cannot attend, you must make sure you visit the Volunteer Check-in table at the Festival Entrance (identified on a map you will receive) at least 1 hour in advance of your first volunteer shift (or your first entrance into the amphitheater). The relevant information, for your shift and volunteer t-shirt will be provided to you there.

Cancellation of Volunteer Commitment

If you are not sure you can commit to volunteering, do not submit a signup form. If you find you absolutely need to cancel your commitment to the Festival, please do so as soon as humanly possible. Volunteer cancellations are extremely inconvenient for the Festival staff. If something unexpected requires you to cancel your volunteer commitment, please IMMEDIATELY respond to an email sent to you by one of the scheduling staff or call them directly. Also, if you cancel at the last minute you may not be eligible to volunteer at future festivals.

Camping for Volunteers

Please note, Pickin in the Pines has very limited camping space. The offer of volunteer camping is for volunteers only and does not include family members and friends. Please plan ahead and purchase the 3-day festival pass with camping for your family and friends who do not wish to volunteer early in the year before it sells out. Volunteer Camping allows for tent camping only. If you are a volunteer and you plan to camp, you must purchase a camping pass for tent camping for $55 per volunteer. We have reserved plenty of volunteer tent camping in the Group South Campground. Even if the campground is sold out to the general public you will still be able to purchase camping. (Please note that this does not include a vehicle pass for your tow vehicle or your small trailer. Vehicle passes are sold out. There is plenty of free parking outside the campground.) Volunteer camping does not include RV or small trailer camping. Volunteer camping is only available for 4 nights: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Check-out is on Monday at 11:00 am. If you sign up for a shift earlier in the week you can purchase a campsite in the Ft. Tuthill Campground for any number of nights prior to Thursday and move to the volunteer campground/Group South on Thursday at noon. Please visit this website to make your reservation. RV Campground sites include two 3-day festival passes and sell out soon after tickets go on sale each year in March.If you need an RV Campground site and want to volunteer you must purchase an RV Campground site on your own. You will be refunded the 3-day festival portion of your RV Campground site cost after you complete your required shifts. Camping descriptions can be found at pickininthepines.org/camping.

Volunteer camping is $55.00.

Camping fees for volunteers in the Group South Campground are due by September 1, 2023.

MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO: PICKIN’ IN THE PINES
Send check or money order for $55 to:
Pickin’ in the Pines
Attn: Camping
PO Box 23701
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
*Include your first and last name in the memo
The fee for Volunteer camping is for 4 nights, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You will be eligible to pick up your festival/camping wristband at the box office once you have paid for camping.

Other PIP Volunteering FAQs

Here are some questions you might like answered before you apply. Specific questions about the festival weekend and your specific volunteer responsibilities will be addressed closer to festival time.

All volunteers are expected to park in the main festival grounds parking lot. Parking is free.

(You will receive more information on preparedness closer to the Festival.) Bring a water bottle – water is available throughout the venue, and snacks will be available at the volunteer check-in station. Also, BE PREPARED – check the weather in case you may need a rain jacket, hat, sunscreen or warm clothing. However, there is not a designated place to put your extra stuff so please try to keep your items to a minimum and keep anything you need on your person.

Volunteers camping at the Festival purchase their camping passes separately from the general public. Read the Camping section, above.

Please contact volunteer@pickininthepines.org IMMEDIATELY. After the Festival is over and you have satisfactorily completed your shifts we will refund the 3-day festival pass portion of your ticket.

This may happen and if it does we ask that you be flexible and be a true Team Bluegrass player. Be open to the possibility of being part of something you were not expecting. Embrace change; it’s a good thing!

We always need to contact our volunteers before the festival with questions, information, and of course your volunteer schedule. If we can’t contact you, we can’t schedule you, and we can’t give you a festival pass. The addition of a mailing address is useful in emergency situations, in returning lost items, and it lets us know where you are coming from. We will NEVER share any information you provide to anyone except the volunteer supervisors, and, if necessary, to emergency medical professionals. You are welcome to unsubscribe from any post-event emails you receive from PIP/FFOTM.

Get a friend to get online and submit the contact form at the bottom of the page (not the volunteer application) and include your name and phone number. We will call you and get you registered.

Questions?
Please email volunteer@pickininthepines.org

Final Words
We appreciate and thank you for your interest in volunteering at Pickin in the Pines!
The Pickin in the Pines Management Team

VOLUNTEER SIGNUP

If the area you are interested in volunteering in is not listed on the main volunteer SignUp Genius form (button above) and you are interested in volunteering for a different section, please email volunteer@pickininthepines.org and the appropriate area coordinator(s) will be in contact with you.

This does not guarantee acceptance to that area, and if your requested area’s schedule has been filled, you are welcome to sign up on the main SignUp Genius form for one of the other available sections.

Not interested in volunteering?

There are other ways you can support the Festival:
• Get your pickin’ and grinnin’ friends to attend or volunteer at PIP
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Twitter

Pickin' in the Pines Flagstaff AZ stage
Picking' in the Pines Flagstaff Arizona