SCF is a 100% Volunteer Powered Festival!
Did you know that the SCF is powered ENTIRELY by volunteers? Yup, it takes about 200 awesome people to put on this amazing festival every year. Not only do our volunteers supply all the coordination and labour hours, they also create the wonderful COMMUNITY that is the Fair. A large part of the responsibility of being a volunteer at the Fair is spreading the love and cultivating joy throughout the weekend. We want everyone's experience to be a pleasant and memorable one. Our volunteers do their best to make sure this is the case and have done so for nearly 40 years.
During the festival weekend (Thursday to Sunday) the standard time commitment is 8 - 16 hours. The minimum time commitment for set up and strike crews is 24-36 hours. Shift times may vary depending on the crew and shift availability.
New volunteers must visit the volunteer lounge for a debriefing prior to their first shifts. All volunteers must check-in at the volunteer lounge prior to their shift beginning unless otherwise prearranged with their coordinator.
You'll be placed on a crew where most needed. Your preferences will be considered but your skill level matched with the greatest need will determine placement. Every effort is made to ensure that you are happy with your placement, and we are pretty flexible when it comes to placing people with friends and family if we are able to!
Volunteer Rights
Be identified as a volunteer and be treated as an integral part of the SCF community
Know what is expected of you and to feel comfortable with the tasks assigned to you
Ask for a change or promotion in volunteer positions
Be recognized for your contributions to the SCF
Feel safe and supported. Your wellbeing matters and help is always close by
Take breaks. You're here to help AND enjoy the Fair. Step away, grab a snack, catch a set
Ask questions. No question is a bad one. Your crew lead and the volunteer tent are there for you
Say no to tasks you're not comfortable with. We'll find something that fits better
Volunteer Responsibilities
Be happy, smile and HAVE FUN!
Fulfill all tasks, duties and time commitments as agreed, to the best of your ability
Represent SCF in a positive way
Wear your SCF volunteer t-shirt while you are on shift (this identifies you to the crowd as an important member of the SCF team!)
Look out for each other. If a fellow volunteer or attendee seems like they need a hand, check in
Stay hydrated and take care of yourself. You can't spread the love if you're running on empty
Communicate with your crew lead. If you're running late, need to swap a shift, or have a concern, just let them know
Leave your area better than you found it. A little tidying goes a long way
Volunteer Benefits
A super cool SCF volunteer t-shirt
Early access to on-site camping (beginning Thursday from 5-9pm)
Special volunteer ticket pricing
Delicious snacks and thirst-quenching water while on shift
Behind the scenes involvement in one of the best music festivals in Canada!
Lifelong friendships. Seriously. Ask any returning volunteer
A letter of reference. Need volunteer hours or a reference? We're happy to help
First dibs on future volunteer roles. Returning volunteers get priority placement
Find your crew
There's a role for every kind of person. Whether you want to be front and centre greeting folks at the gate or behind the scenes keeping things running, there's a spot for you. Browse the roles below to see what fits.
Our largest crew at the Fair. Responsible for greeting festival attendees, providing helpful tips, and checking that wristbands are worn by those entering festival gates. Shifts are 4 hours.
What you'd be doing: Standing at festival entry points, welcoming folks, scanning or checking wristbands, and answering questions about the grounds.
Example task: Politely redirecting someone without a wristband to the Box Office.
Good to know: You're the first face people see, so bring your best energy. Mostly standing, mostly outdoors. Great for social butterflies and first-time volunteers.
Maintains the beauty of the festival grounds.
What you'd be doing: Sorting recycling and compost, emptying bins, picking up litter, and helping attendees use the right waste stations.
Example task: Swapping out full recycling bags during a busy evening set.
Good to know: It's physical work and you'll be on your feet and moving around the site. Perfect if you like staying active and care about keeping the land clean.
Feeds volunteers and performers. YUM!
What you'd be doing: Preparing and serving meals, keeping the green room stocked, and making sure performers and volunteers are well fed.
Example task: Plating a hot lunch for an incoming band before their set.
Good to know: You'll be working in or near a kitchen area. Food handling comfort is a plus. You might get to meet some of the performers!
Plans and implements amazing activities and entertainment for the little people attending the festival.
What you'd be doing: Running crafts, games, and activities for kids in a dedicated family area.
Example task: Leading a group tie-dye session or face painting station.
Good to know: Patience and a playful attitude go a long way. Experience with kids is helpful but not required. Parents are generally nearby.
Serves beer in hospitality (must be at least 18 years old).
What you'd be doing: Pouring and serving drinks in the hospitality area, checking IDs, and keeping the bar area tidy.
Example task: Managing a busy drink line between evening sets.
Good to know: You must be 18+. Previous bartending experience isn't required but helps. Expect a fast pace during peak hours.
Meets, greets, checks in and debriefs volunteers. Delivers snacks and water to volunteers.
What you'd be doing: Staffing the volunteer tent, checking people in for shifts, handing out t-shirts, and running snack and water deliveries to crews across the site.
Example task: Walking water and granola bars out to the Gate crew mid-shift.
Good to know: You'll need to know the site layout and be comfortable chatting with lots of different people. Great for organized, friendly types.
Handles money and tickets at the entrance gate.
What you'd be doing: Selling tickets, processing wristband exchanges, handling cash and card transactions, and answering pricing or access questions.
Example task: Issuing a weekend wristband to a walk-up attendee and making change.
Good to know: You should be comfortable handling money. It gets busy at peak arrival times (Thursday evening, Friday afternoon). Accuracy matters here.
Administers basic first aid to attendees in need of basic medical assistance (must have a minimum of Standard First Aid/CPR training).
What you'd be doing: Staffing the medical tent, treating minor injuries, assessing whether someone needs further care, and keeping incident logs.
Example task: Cleaning and bandaging a cut or helping someone dealing with heat exhaustion.
Good to know: Standard First Aid/CPR certification is required. Medical professionals are especially welcome. Shifts can be quiet or intense depending on the day.
Works closely with volunteer services, medical aid, and safety crew/event patrol teams to keep communication lines open. Is responsible for implementing emergency response plan in case of an emergency.
What you'd be doing: Monitoring radio comms, coordinating between crews, and being ready to act if a serious situation comes up.
Example task: Relaying a medical aid request from the campground to the med tent and confirming response.
Good to know: You need to stay calm under pressure and be a clear communicator. Prior emergency or event safety experience is a big asset. You'll carry a radio.
Help direct parking and the flow of traffic.
What you'd be doing: Directing vehicles into parking areas, managing traffic flow at entry/exit points, and helping keep things moving during peak arrival times.
Example task: Waving cars into the next open row during the Friday evening rush.
Good to know: You'll be outdoors in all weather. Wear sunscreen and layers. Busiest during festival open and close. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Help direct campers to sites and oversee campsite for duration of the weekend.
What you'd be doing: Guiding campers to open spots, answering questions about campground rules, and keeping an eye on things overnight.
Example task: Helping a family find a flat, shaded spot near the quiet camping area.
Good to know: You'll be walking the campground a lot. Late-night and early-morning shifts are common. Good for people who like a chill pace and don't mind being up late.
Organize and facilitate the campground jam sessions which happen after the festival stages shut down for the night.
What you'd be doing: Setting up a jam circle, welcoming musicians, keeping the vibe going, and managing noise levels so nearby campers can sleep.
Example task: Getting a circle started and inviting a shy guitarist to join in.
Good to know: Musical ability isn't required but it helps. These are late-night shifts. You're part host, part facilitator. Expect a loose, fun atmosphere.
Setting up tents, pavilions, stage, and fences prior to festival as well as post-fest tear down.
What you'd be doing: Heavy lifting, building stages, raising tents, hammering stakes, running fencing, and reversing it all after the festival ends.
Example task: Carrying and assembling fence panels along the festival perimeter.
Good to know: This is the most physically demanding role. Minimum 12-36 hour commitment. You'll work before and/or after the festival, not during. Great if you want to help build something from the ground up.
Directing and assisting vendors to their designated spot.
What you'd be doing: Meeting food and merch vendors on arrival, guiding them to their assigned locations, and helping with basic setup needs.
Example task: Walking a food truck driver to their spot and confirming power hookup location.
Good to know: Most of this work happens before the festival opens to the public. You'll need to be friendly, organized, and comfortable reading a site map.
Ensure that the festival site is safe and secure. Our approach is proactive, friendly and non-confrontational.
What you'd be doing: Walking the grounds, checking fence lines, de-escalating situations calmly, and flagging concerns to the Emergency Response Team.
Example task: Noticing a wobbly fence section and radioing it in before it becomes a problem.
Good to know: This role is about presence and prevention, not confrontation. You should be comfortable walking long distances and staying level-headed. Night shifts are common.
Technical stuff and building stuff like the pros do.
What you'd be doing: Helping with stage setup, cable runs, mic checks, and supporting the sound techs during performances.
Example task: Running a cable from the mixer to a monitor on stage between acts.
Good to know: Any audio or technical experience is a bonus but not required. You'll learn a lot. Expect long days and some heavy lifting. Great for anyone curious about live production.
Helping practitioners and workshop facilitators to get set up.
What you'd be doing: Assisting wellness and workshop leaders with space setup, guiding attendees to sessions, and making sure things run on time.
Example task: Laying out yoga mats before a morning session and directing participants to the space.
Good to know: This is a quieter, more grounded role. Good for people who value mindfulness and community. Shifts tend to be daytime and low-key.