Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Volunteers Needed As First Altadena Bestfest Approaches

Organizers of Altadena’s first BestFest are calling for volunteers to help set up the site, coordinate with vendors, monitor the restricted parking area and lead children’s activities as the street festival-style community event approaches.

BestFest will occur on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., along the stretch of Mariposa Avenue that runs from El Molino to Santa Anita Avenue in Altadena.

Set-up volunteers will assist the site coordinator and party rental company employees in setting up tables, chairs and tents. Set-up staff must be able to do some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds. Set-up volunteers will be working from 6:30 to 9 a.m. on October 3rd.

Site coordinator assistants will assist the Site Coordinator as needed, walk around and check on vendors and distribute information to booths and guests. They will be working in two-to three-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Take-down volunteers will assist the Site Coordinator along with party rental company employees to take down their equipment and must be able to do some heavy lifting. Take-down staff will be working from 5 to 7 p.m.

Children’s arts project volunteers will work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., in shifts of two to three hours, and assist the Children’s Art Projects Coordinator to set up craft areas and assist children.

Restricted parking volunteers will work alongside other volunteers and committee members in monitoring the restricted parking area located within the events grounds, which will be made available for handicap accessible parking only. Parking volunteers must allow those with hang tags to park in the restricted area. They will be required to be on site in shifts of two hours each, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Car show volunteers, working in two-hour shifts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be physically present around the parked cars to prohibit touching of the vehicle or sitting in the vehicle without the owner’s permission.

Students who are planning to use volunteer hours toward school assignments will be given acknowledgement letters by the event chairperson in recognition of their volunteer service, upon request.

All volunteers will receive breakfast or lunch vouchers depending on time of work schedule.

Interested volunteers may get in touch with Diana Phillippi, Community Relations Coordinator, via e-mail, diana@dimadeline.com, or by phone, (626) 344-6396.

Altadena BestFest will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, October 2nd, with a Salon Show and Reception at the Altadena Public Library, where guests may view original artwork and meet many of the artists. Artwork will be for sale throught the evening, as well as during the following day.

On Saturday itself, a Street Festival opens the event, centered around the Altadena Public Library on Mariposa Avenue. Altadena’s popular food spots will have their booths and food trucks in the area, and local musicians will perform throughout the day.

A number of area schools will showcase performances and demonstrations, with children takng part in free arts and crafts activities.

A traditional pancake breakfast will open the day, served along Mariposa Avenue.

The festival also features The Salon, a juried art show for fine arts and hand-crafted creations.

Altadena’s own Funky Junk Farms will exhibit restored vintage vehicles.

BestFest benefits the Altadena Public Library.