Apply Now for Volunteer Opportunities at ‘Fire Up Downtown’ To Be Held on August 5th

By Vicki Veach, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— 

MUNCE, IN—Things are heating up in downtown Muncie in anticipation of Fire Up DWNTWN: A downtown Summer StreetFest on August 5th, sponsored by Ivy Tech – Muncie. “This event drew over 11,000 visitors last year and we are expanding activities for a more enhanced event this year” said Vicki Veach, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership. 

The Fire Up team is asking for your help.

Over 100 volunteers will be necessary to ensure the safety and success of the event. If you are interested in having fun, building comraderies, and learning about hot air balloons, we have just the thing for you. Some volunteer positions include the rare opportunity to work directly with the pilots and the hot air balloons.

The Fire Up Team requires your assistance and is asking you to sign up or share the sign-up information with others. Volunteer descriptions can be found below on this page.

All volunteers will receive a special event T-shirt. Interested parties should contact vicki@downtownmuncie.org. or complete the application located here:  https://bit.ly/2023fireup 

More event details will be publicized later. Mark your calendars, Saturday, August 5th for an event you do not want to miss. 

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 

• Chase Crew (14 positions available): Help pilots inflate and launch four hot air balloons, chase the balloons in flight, and assist with landing, deflation, and pack-up. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 6 – 9 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed; professionals will be on-site. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 15+. 

• Special Shapes Crew (30 positions available): Help lay out, inflate, monitor, and deflate one of seven special shape balloons. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 7-10 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed; professionals will be on-site. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 15+. 

• Tethered Rides (8 positions available): Help lay out, inflate, monitor, and deflate one of two tethered balloons. Assist riders on and off-board. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 5-10 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed; professionals will be on-site. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 16+. 

• Night-Before Set-Up Crew (6 positions available): Post signage (e.g., parking, road closures, sponsors, etc.) and assist vendors and Downtown Development staff on Friday evening. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 5-8 pm, FRIDAY, August 4 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 18+. 

• Day-Of Set-Up Crew (6 positions available): Ensure signage is properly displayed, move fence pieces for vendors, and assist vendors and Downtown Development staff on Saturday morning. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 9 am-noon, SATURDAY, August 5 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 18+. 

• Event Tear-Down Crew (10 positions available): Take down and put away event items (e.g., signage, tables, stages) on Sunday morning. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 8-10 am on SUNDAY, August 6th 

SKILLS NEEDED: No previous experience needed. Involves physical activity. Open to ages 18+. 

• Runners (1 position x 2 shifts available): Serve as on-call assistants for Downtown Development staff. Activities may include helping vendors, restocking supplies, checking-in at attraction locations, etc. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 

• Shift 1: 1 – 5:30 pm 

• Shift 2: 5:30 – 10 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: Must be highly dependable and capable of working independently. Involves physical activity, including extended periods of standing and walking. Open to ages 18+. 

• Golf Cart Coordinator (1 position available): Meet delivery Saturday morning and assign to drivers. Deliver all carts to storage at 10 pm. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 9 am and 10 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: No physical demand. Open to ages 20+. 

• Pilot Coordinator (1 position X 2 shifts available): First shift will meet pilots during pre-inflate meeting and be on-site for inflation. Second shift will meet pilots after the event at the Courtyard Marriott downtown to show where the food is located. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 

• Shift 1: 5-8 pm 

• Shift 2: 10-10:30 pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: Shift one requires physical activity. Second shift has no physical demands. 

• Train Drivers: (2 positions available): Drive the children’s train around Canan Commons. 

TIME COMMITMENT: 

• Shift 1: 1-5PM 

• Shift 2: 5-9pm 

SKILLS NEEDED: Over 18 years of age with valid drivers’ license. Capable of working independently, highly dependable.