AT the FESTIVAL Volunteer QUESTIONS
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WELCOME TO OUR CELEBRATE FAIRFAX! VOLUNTEER TEAM Thank you so much for volunteering at the 38th anniversary of the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. With more than 1,500 volunteers working together, we will host approximately 70,000 people during the three days of Northern Virginia’s largest community-wide celebration. We’re counting on you to help make this event a success! Thank you for your commitment. Many of you have volunteered with us for a number of years. For others, it is a brand-new experience and you may have many questions. Whatever the case may be, we urge you to read this handbook carefully. Even the most experienced volunteers will find new information to learn as the festival changes and grows from year to year. Please feel free to ask questions, make suggestions, or ask for assistance. Other volunteers, leadership team Supervisors, and staff members are all great sources of help and support. Never hesitate to ask how to do something or why something is being done the way it is. You may have a great idea that will help improve the festival for years to come. Volunteers carry out a variety of functions and duties, but all share a common role as an ambassador for Celebrate Fairfax! to every guest, exhibitor, and performer. A smiling face and a friendly attitude are im- portant in ensuring the festival is a pleasant place for everyone. We hope you enjoy your experience at the 2019 Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. Thank you for volunteering! Your time and talents are greatly appreciated. Trinity Yansick & Anna Kaczmarczyk Program Manager Volunteer & Program Coordinator Meet the 2019 Festival Staff Ashley Morris President & CEO Trinity Yansick Taylor Rinker Anna Kaczmarczyk Program Manager Program Manager Program & Vol. Coordinator Austin Roberts Matthew Cleckley Joseph Cabrera Program & Social Media Coordinator Exhibits Coordinator Program Coordinator ABOUT CELEBRATE FAIRFAX, INC. The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is a county fair and music festival hybrid, steeped in the history and vitality of Fairfax County and its 1.1 million citizens. Launched as the Fairfax Fair in 1982, the event was created by a blue ribbon commission consisting of elected officials and community leaders who realized that the fast- growing county lacked a unifying event or an established downtown. The resulting county fair was (and re- mains) the only major event designed to reach all of Fairfax’s communities. Prior to its founding, other Fairfax County fairs existed dating back to the 1700’s, but by the 1950’s, all had disappeared. When the current Fairfax Fair was created in the 1980’s, it featured a chili cook-off, carnival, and commercial and county government exhibits, and was held at George Mason University. Initially coordi- nated by the Fairfax County Extension Office, by the end of the decade the Fair was produced by the non- profit Faxfair Corporation. A true collaborative effort, the Fair was made possible only through the financial and community support it received. By the early-1990’s, it became apparent that George Mason’s growth mirrored that of the Fairfax Fair, and that the needed space was not easily provided. Fairfax’s leadership worked with local officials and settled on its current home, the then brand new Fairfax County Government Center. Including 25 acres of property, the 3-day Fair expanded its county government exhibits and created programs that fit the increasingly tech- driven Fairfax region. Among the major programs created during this time was the SciTech Center, a STEM- focused 10,000 square foot pavilion of interactive science-based activities. Also during this period, national headliner entertainment was added, including many of the top country and classic rock artists of that time, such as Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels, Trace Adkins, Three Dog Night, The Band, and Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. In 1996, Faxfair changed their name to Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. (CFI), to better represent the mission and vi- sion of the organization. By the turn of the century, CFI changed the name of the Fair to the Celebrate Fair- fax! Festival, branding the event as a combination of a traditional county fair with a modern music festival. With as many as 7 stages of entertainment, music had long filled the void of not having a significant agricul- tural presence, and showcasing of arts and education became a focal point of the annual celebration. Today’s Celebrate Fairfax! Festival has evolved into an experience-focused event. Programs are designed to be as interactive as possible and include: local wine and craft brew tasting, a silent disco, a long-running karaoke championship and VIP experience packages which offer the individual guest access to sponsor-like bene- fits. National headlining performances ranging from 3 Doors Down, Third Eye Blind, the B-52s, and All- American Rejects have replaced country music on the main stage. As CFI moves forward, its signature Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is expected to continue to be at the forefront of the metropolitan fair movement. CFI has also expanded its role in the community, producing or assisting in the production of events such as the World Police & Fire Games, the Workhouse Brewfest, and its 25-year old Fall for Fairfax KidsFest. A recipient of one of the International Festivals and Events Association’s top honors, Celebrate Fairfax was named a Bronze Pinnacle Award winner in 2005 for its long-time quality and success. The festival was also a 2006 honoree as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeastern United States. In 2015 and again in 2016, Celebrate Fairfax was recognized as the Best of Nova: Kid-friendly Festival by Northern Virginia Maga- zine. FESTIVAL INFORMATION FESTIVAL LOCATION PARKING & SHUTTLE BUS Fairfax County Government Center There are two major remote parking areas serviced by 12000 Government Center Parkway the FREE shuttle bus to Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. Fairfax, VA 22035 FREE Shuttle Bus Hours Friday – 4:30 pm to 12:30 am Hours of Operation Saturday – 8:30 am to 12:30 am Friday, June 7, 2019 Sunday – 9:30 am to 7:30 pm 6:00pm – midnight Shuttle Locations Saturday, June 8, 2019 Fair Oaks Mall: 11750 Fair Oaks – 2 stops 10:00am – midnight 1 stop near ManTech Corporation building across from the Macys & 1 stop near the Fairfax Marriott Sunday, June 9, 2019 Fair Lakes Circle: 12450 Fair Lakes Circle 11:00am - 7:00pm Across from the shopping center with Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting FESTIVAL RULES To ensure a safe and enjoyable festival experience for everyone, the items below are not permitted at the Festival. Please note: Bags, backpacks and other hand-carried items are subject to inspection. Umbrellas may be brought in, but you may be asked to lower them in concert areas to allow all guests access to stage viewing. Not permitted at the Festival: Coolers, pitchers, or glass containers Soliciting Removing alcoholic beverages from the site Laser pointers Lawn or beach chairs Pets, except for service animals for patrons with disabilities Boom boxes and audio recording devices Scooters, roller skates, skateboards, bicycles, or in-line skates Professional still or video cameras Climbing on any scaffolding towers or stages Smoking at any tented areas or indoor venues Defacing property within the festival site (this may result in prosecution) Bringing in outside alcoholic beverages Please note that shirts and shoes must be worn while on the festival grounds! FESTIVAL FACILITIES General Parking On-site parking at the Fairfax County Government Center is by permit only. Free shuttle buses run roundtrip service from the designated lots to the festival site every 5-10 minutes. Free parking is available at 11750 Fair Oaks Mall near the Fairfax Marriott & ManTech Corporation building and at 12450 Fair Lakes Circle in designated parking lots across the street from the shopping center with the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s and Whole Foods. ATMs/ Credit Cards There are 12 ATMs located in various areas around the Festival. Some vendors and beer stations will accept credit cards. First Aid Locations: First aid treatment at the festival is free. If additional treatment is necessary, an ambulance and/or hospital may charge for ser- vices. At the intersection of Leidos Purple Gate and the Crosswalk On INOVA Red Gate located next to the Dock Dogs Near the entrance to The AT&T Community Village Restrooms Portable restrooms and hand-washing stations will be located in numerous locations throughout the festival. Additional restrooms are available to the left and right of the main lobby in the Government Center building. FESTIVAL SERVICES Access for Persons with Disabilities On-site parking- at the Fairfax County Government Center is available for persons with valid handicapped per- mits. Regular-sized Vehicles with valid handicapped hangtag or license plate must enter through the Green Gate. Oversized Vehicles with valid handicapped hangtag or license plate must enter through the Green Gate and follow signs for Lot C. Golf carts are available to transport visitors who need extra assistance to Festival pro- gram areas. Wheelchairs - A limited number of wheelchairs are available for FREE on a first-come, first-served basis in the Festival Office—located inside the Government Center Room 9/10. In order to reserve a wheelchair, a govern- ment-issued photo identification card must be left with Festival Office staff and will be given back once the wheelchair has been returned. Lost Parents & Child Registration Child Registration is a program that increases our ability to reconnect parents with their lost children during the festival. Where is Lost Parents/Child Registration Child Registration booths are located at the First Aid stations at Red Gate, Purple Gate, next to The AT&T Community Village and Festival Information tent.