Photo by Frederic Aube 2023
Photo by Frederic Aube 2023
Photo by Frederic Aube 2023
Photo by Joy Phoenix 2023
Photo by Bruce Forrester 2025
Photo by Phil Fisher 2024
NEW-Porchfest-2026-Poster-11x17.jpg)
Photo by Theresa Coleman 2024
Photo by Bruce Forrester 2024
Volunteer Information
Volunteers make this event happen! If you’re an individual or a group, we’d love your participation. Volunteer Positions Include:
Day of San Rafael PorchFest Positions
Volunteer Shifts:
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
12:45 PM – 3:00 PM
2:45 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – clean up crew
The 15-minute overlap helps with transferring experiences and addressing any late-breaking issues or needs.
All Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, September 15th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm with the location to be determined ... Mark your calendar! Here you’ll get instructions for your shift, your volunteer t-shirt, sign waivers, etc. It helps us a lot to have everyone together so they can meet their fellow volunteers and understand their positions. If you really can’t make it, and want to volunteer, we can work with you individually, but really, please come if you can.
Block Captain
The Block Captains would be checking in with porch hosts, making sure bands are set up and ready to go, make sure the start on time, and check in with the band on sound levels when needed. You’re also walking the block and providing information to people who might have questions (we’ll provide the info), and making sure the attendees are doing ok. It's great because you also get to hear music while you cover your block. You’ll be in contact with the event organizers if there any concerns or emergencies.
Merchandise/T-Shirt Sales
The merchandise booth is a pretty busy place! Volunteers here are working with PorchFest attendees helping them find their hat or t-shirt size and color, making the sale using square, venmo, and cash. You’ll be working in a booth with other volunteers, also helping keep the displays neat and answering a few questions along the way. The volunteers here work in the booth for the full 2-hour shift.
Information Booth
This group of volunteers helps the public with information needs, lost and found, bands who are trying to figure out where to go, and more. We’ll provide you with the information, you are on point to share! This position is good for people who like to talk and help other people get what is needed. The position is in a booth for a two-hour shift.
Non-Alcoholic Lounge
New in 2025, this relaxing lounge area adjacent to Gerstle Park on San Rafael Avenue is a place where people can take a break and enjoy a non-acholic beverage. Tables and chairs are set up – the first crew will help with setting up. Volunteers will sell some of the beverages alongside sponsors sharing their wares, answer questions and make sure the place is neat and tidy for all to enjoy. Bands will be playing nearby so you can groove to the tunes while you volunteer.
Tech Crew
Do you have technical music skills and know what to do when the shows got to go on, but there’s an issue that’s holding it back? We need a few skilled tech crew members that can help the bands when there’s a glitch or solve music, sound, electrical or really any hiccup on the fly! These folks are on call, with a general area to cover, working in a team of roving problem solvers. They work the entire event, but if you have less time, let us know and we’ll see how we can fit you in.
Photographers
Do you have an artistic eye? We need a few additional photographers to help us document the event. If you are a professional, or someone who is pretty darn good at a capturing the moment, this job is for you. We assign photographers an area, and they spend the day taking pictures of the bands, the crowds, food venders, and all things PorchFest! All photographs are collected after the event and many are posted to the San Rafael PorchFest website. Let us know if you are an excellent shutterbug!
We’ll give you a stack of posters and an area to hang them. This position involves strategic poster hanging in different areas. You’ll say hello community businesses, explain San Rafael PorchFest and request they put the poster in their shop window or other community locations. Most shop keepers are excited and willing to help spread the word.
Parking Sign Hangers - Before the Event
Saturday Set Up
This day is an important one. We meet from about 10 am to 3 pm and put tents and tables in place, distribute equipment to the Porch Hosts, and hang sponsor banners. Come for all of part of this day, we can use any time you have!
Sunday Set Up
We need a few volunteers as early as 9 am to help with the final bits – Hanging banners, setting up tables, and much more. Let us know if you can be there early!
After the event we want to make sure the neighborhood is left in good shape – the neighbors have been so gracious – let’s keep the neighborhood shining! This usually lasts from 5 pm to about 7 pm, depending on the tasks – we’ll be doing equipment pick up, banner removal, and a walk around to make sure there’s no trash or stray items.