TwainFest is returning in 2021! Join us at our new venue, Heritage County Park!

 Hello TwainFest volunteers! After a long two years, we are excited to announce that TwainFest is returning on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Heritage County Park! 

Things will be a little different this year and we are still working out a few of the logistics. We have constraints from the county parks and recreation including attendance caps and other health and safety requirements. Here's what we do know:

• Volunteers will still receive a shift meal and a ticket to a future Write Out Loud performance as a "thank you" for volunteering.
• Volunteers will need to follow health and safety protocols, including answering COVID screening questions on the day of the event and wearing a face mask if you are not vaccinated.
• Shade structures and chairs will be available for volunteers at each game/venue and bottled water will be provided.
• We're working on having a paid parking option for volunteers who don't want to have to walk too far to get to Heritage County Park. Otherwise, several free nearby lots and street parking are available. 

We will also be having Volunteer Orientations on Saturday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 15. We are confirming the times with the County Parks to ensure they don't have another event, so stay tuned to your emails and the Volunteer Orientation page of this blog. While not mandatory, we highly recommend attending for both new and returning volunteers, since TwainFest is going to run a bit differently than in years past.

I anticipate I will begin assigning volunteer roles and shifts the weekend of Aug. 24, so please keep an eye out for an email from me. In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you again for joining us!

Christa Sherman

Join us for the TENTH ANNUAL TwainFest on Saturday, August 17!

Hello TwainFest volunteers! We are less than 5 months away from our TENTH ANNUAL TWAINFEST! It's incredible that we've been putting on this amazing event for the community over the last ten years and we couldn't do it without all of you!

With that being said, volunteer registration is now open! Returning volunteers, please register here. 

As always, we need LOTS of volunteers to make TwainFest happen! Please invite your friends and have them register as a new volunteer here.

There will be some new activities and areas at TwainFest 2019, so we're asking all volunteers (new and returning) to attend an orientation on either Sunday, August 4 or Saturday, August 10. Both orientations will be held at Old Town State Historic Park (we'll meet at the flagpole) and will last from 10-11 AM.

More updates will be coming soon including a Volunteer Recognition/Kick-Off party. Keep your eyes peeled for emails from us soon!

Can't wait to see you all in August.

Christa Lynn Sherman
TwainFest Volunteer Coordinator
twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com
760-715-4542

TwainFest 2018 registration is now open!

Hello TwainFest volunteers! Registration is now open for TwainFest on Saturday, August 18, 2018! We're so excited for another amazing year and can't wait for you to join us!

We've refined the definitions and roles of some of the volunteer positions, so please take a look at the Volunteer Position pages. The two biggest changes include:

• Venue Manager is an all day position with increased responsibilities and a mandatory orientation on Sunday, July 29 at 10 AM
• Costumed Program Distributors will now roam the 3 entry-ways to Old Town in character passing out TwainFest programs and answer questions. These volunteers will be fitted for costumes and are encouraged to create a character; outgoing volunteers are a must!

To register for 2018, please sign up using this link. 

As always, we need new volunteers to sign up too! Please refer a friend to join you at TwainFest and ask them to register as a new volunteer using their own link.

Please reach out to me with any questions you have about TwainFest 2018. Thanks so much!

Christa Lynn Sherman

Volunteer Coordinator

760-715-4542

twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com

Registration has begun for TwainFest 2017

Hello TwainFest volunteers! Happy 2017! We're officially beginning registration for TwainFest 2017 taking place this year on Saturday, August 19. We would love to have you join us again for this wonderful celebration of literature, theatre, history, and art. There are a couple of new things this year so please read below:

• This year we've added Event Support Specialist positions. These are more intensive positions which will require additional training and longer volunteer shifts. Examples include Food & Beverage Specialists (prepping and assisting with the Casa de Estudillo, Queen of Hearts Tea Party, etc.), Supply Specialists (checking in with venues and games to ensure they have tickets, prizes, and general supplies throughout the day), Construction Specialists (helping specifically with set-up on the days leading up to TwainFest and tear down after the event), and more positions to be announced. These positions are great for volunteers who want more hands on experience with event planning and the magic that makes TwainFest possible!
• TwainFest is adding a new, adult orientated event this year titled TwainFest After Dark! The details of this event are still being put together, but it will include food and adult beverages, performances, and experiences unlike anything else you experience during the day! We will need volunteers for TwainFest After Dark with exact times and roles TBD.

If either of these opportunities sound up your alley, you have an opportunity to select them on your volunteer re-registration. I will be conducting separate questionnaires and interviews for these positions.

To register as a volunteer for TwainFest 2017, please go our returning volunteer registration at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNWCNND

If you love volunteering with TwainFest, please refer a friend! Our new volunteer registration is open now as well. You can send this link to friends, family, co-workers, or anyone you think who would love to join us! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WMXJZB6

Please call or email me with any questions. Thank you and hope to see you in August!

Christa Lynn Sherman

Volunteer Coordinator

760-715-4542

twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com

TwainFest is this Saturday!

Hello TwainFest volunteers! I am so excited to see you all at TwainFest this Saturday.

Please review your volunteer position descriptions and What Do I Need... pages on this blog.

ALSO, please take a look at the Parking page. As a reminder, volunteers are NOT allowed to park in the lot between the Fiesta de Reyes restaurant and the Cosmopolitan Hotel unless they have a disabled placard. All other volunteers can find parking off the street, in a different lot, or in the Cal Trans parking lot (which is especially helpful for volunteers arriving for the afternoon shift).

All volunteers are go to the Volunteer Check-in table at the start of their shift. There you can sign in, pick up your shirt, and confirm your volunteer assignment. If you are under 18, please be sure to bring your signed waiver (please email me if you have not received a copy)

Please don't hesitate to call or email with any questions. Thanks so much again and can't wait to see you all this weekend!

Christa Browning
Volunteer Coordinator
760-715-4542
twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com

2016 TwainFest Orientations and Invite-a-Friend Campaign

Hello 2016 TwainFest volunteers! We are so thrilled to have you joining us for another great year.

If you're a new volunteer (or a returning volunteer who needs a refresher on the event) we're having 4 volunteer orientations this year. All volunteer orientations start at 10 AM at Old Town Historic Park, located at 4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110

Saturday, July 30
Sunday, July 31
Saturday, August 13
Sunday, August 14

We meet at the flag pole, located in the middle of the grassy lawn area at the north end of the park. The orientations are approximately one hour and we go over the various positions and locations of activities throughout TwainFest. While the orientations are not required for new volunteers, they are highly recommended.


We are also happy to announce our 2016 Invite-a-Friend campaign! As those of you who volunteered in previous years know, volunteers receive two free tickets to a future Write Out Loud performance as part of their "thank-you" bag for volunteering at TwainFest.

This year, to increase volunteer participation, we're asking you to Invite-a-Friend to volunteer at TwainFest! Just share the registration link with a friend and, when they sign up, I'll ask them "How did you hear about TwainFest?" When they give me your name, you'll get two extra tickets to a Write Out Loud performance! Invite enough friends and you'll basically be a season ticket holder to Write Out Loud.

Here is the link you can share with friends: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85SR5JC
You can also direct them to our page on the Write Out Loud website here: http://writeoutloudsd.com/schedule/twainfest/volunteers/
Lastly, there's a great video about TwainFest, which show both guests and volunteers here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMWfMHH5UeU

Thank you so much volunteers! We're excited for another amazing year and I'm incredibly thankful to have all of you joining us this year.

Christa Browning
Volunteer Coordinator
760-715-4542
twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com

Volunteer Orientations and Scheduling for TwainFest 2015

Hello TwainFest volunteers! We're so excited for another amazing year.

Our Volunteer Orientations have been scheduled with 2 in July and 2 in August. Please see the Volunteer Orientations page on the right-hand side of the blog.

I will also begin assigning volunteer positions. Please look out for an email from me in the next two weeks with your assignment. You can view the various pages on this blog for a description of your position and other helpful resources to have a successful volunteer shift at TwainFest.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, we're still actively recruiting volunteers so please invite your friends!

Thanks so much

Christa Browning
Volunteer Coordinator
760-715-4542
twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com