Volunteer Sign-up

We volunteers primarily in Staging Lots, Barricades/Traffic, End of Route Dispersion, and along the Route. Thank you!

Volunteer Signup 2024

  • This is the number you can be reached at the day of the Parade.
  • The number this person should be available at during the Parade.
  • Training will be on the East side of Capital. If this is your first year, you need to select a training date. If you have volunteered before, training is optional.
  • We will reuse the 2023 T-shirts (orange) for 2024 Parade. If you are new and need a shirt, please select the shirt size you need.
  • NOTE: We will do our best to fulfill your request, but we cannot guarantee it.

  • Staging Lot

    Greet parade entrants and line them up in numerical order, give directions to entries who need help finding their lot, and help non-parade traffic navigate out of the staging area. This position will be located on the Capitol Complex. Volunteers should be prepared to respond to a variety of questions about the parade, parking, staging lot locations, and traffic routes. Time requirement: 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

    Barricades and Traffic

    Direct non-parade traffic around the staging area and help parade entries find their staging lot. Most positions are located around the perimeter and within the staging area (Capitol Complex). Volunteers should be prepared to handle a rush of traffic and questions prior to the parade, then slowing when the parade starts. Time requirement: 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

    Parade Route

    Keep spectators off the parade route and on sidewalks or behind barricades and answering questions from spectators about the parade. This position will require walking and standing throughout the parade. Time requirement: 4:30 - 9:00 p.m.

    End of Route/Entrant Dispersion

    Direct parade entries (vehicles and walkers) so they do not stop on the route causing the parade to backup. This position is located at the end of the route (13th and Grand Avenue). Volunteers should be prepared for periods with a high volume of entries to keep moving, with intermittent periods with no entries (entries must stop periodically to let traffic cross the parade route downtown). Time requirement: 4:30 - 9:00 p.m.

    (All positions filled for 2024) Set Up

    We have TWO setup team needs. Tues. from 2 - 4 PM to setup NO PARKING signs at specific locations along Grand Ave. Bridge and Des Moines Street (possibly other areas). The other setup team will be on Wed. from 1 - 4 PM prior to the parade and the duties will include: Assist the with the delivery and set up of signs in each of the staging lots and setting up the Judge’s stand. Both tasks would require lifting (signs, A-frame holders, pop-up tents, folding tables and chairs) and the signs would require climbing in and out of a vehicle. Volunteers wishing to help with set up and another position during the parade, will have of time for both (volunteering for both is not required).
  • I hereby release and hold harmless the State of Iowa; the Iowa State Fair Authority; the Iowa State Fair Board; and their agents and employees from any responsibility whatsoever resulting from or growing out of volunteering at the 2023 Iowa State Fair Parade.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.