The Philly Folk Fest: Making It Happen

Even though the music started last night at the Camp Stage, and is already underway this morning, volunteers are still setting up.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival doesn't just happen. More than 2,000 volunteers make it happen.
Fest is managed by a sizable volunteer bureaucracy, with committees for grounds, security, sound, electricity, trash and recycling, hospitality, purchasing, food, marketing and more. I find it remarkable how smoothly the whole thing runs.
A friend talked me into volunteering a few years back. It's a great way to experience Fest; when I first showed up as a volunteer, I met about 50 people in an hour. My gig is the Security Annex, the all-night canteen for volunteers. I work the graveyard shift, which is relatively quiet. I like it; I'm able to put in my hours without missing any music, at least until the sleep deprivation catches up with me during an afternooon concert.
If you'd like to be a part of making Fest happen, you can still sign up by going to the Folk Fest website.
Of course, if you just want to sit on the hill and enjoy some great music, that's cool too; the weather's just about perfect. Come on up, and tell 'em TommyWonk sent you.