The Minnesota State Fair is coming to St. Paul, August 24 - September 4, and YOU can be a part of it!
Follow the web link cited at the end of each position to sign up or contact the person listed for more information.
For 4 hours each day of the fair, you can play the costumed character Smokey Bear! Smokey poses for pictures with people and walks among the crowds in the DNR Park twice a day for one hour intervals. That makes it only 2 hours total in the suit – with breaks every 15 minutes to cool off for a few minutes. The rest of the time is spent getting in and out of the costume or resting.
Wearing the costume can get extremely hot, so if heat bothers you, this is not the job for you! A cooling vest with ice packs, water and a shower are provided. Since you'll get sweaty every time you go out, you need to bring 2 changes of clothing with you.
Not into wearing a Smokey suit?
How about being his Voice? Smokey can't speak, so someone else must act as his Voice.
Volunteers must fill BOTH time slots of 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon AND 1:00 - 2:00 PM on one day. You cannot pick just one. Please note that if you volunteer to be Smokey here, you cannot also volunteer to be in the parade on the same day. All volunteers are limited to a maximum of 2 days.
Friday, August 25, 2017 is Fire Prevention Day and is different from all other days at the fair.
At least 2 sets of Smokeys and Voices are needed on this day for shifts every other hour from 10 AM - 4 PM.
Volunteers must fill all 3 time slots on one day. You cannot pick just one or two.
If interested in volunteering as Smokey Bear, click on one of the following links to create a volunteer profile on MyVolunteerPage, complete an application and select your day on the fair schedule:
If interested in volunteering as Smokey’s Voice, click on one of the following links to create a volunteer profile on MyVolunteerPage, complete an application and select your day on the fair schedule:
Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on.
You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this. Maps, instructions and an admission ticket will be mailed to you for each day you volunteer. Remember, all volunteers are limited to no more than 2 days.
Contact Jeff Jackson, Forester, Grand Rapids at 218- 322-2705, or email Jeffery.jackson@state.mn.us for more information on how to play Smokey or his Voice during the fair.
Wear this FUN COLORFUL COSTUME as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) as you:
The purpose of the EAB costume is to engage the public on invasive species issues and encourage them to visit the invasive species exhibits inside the DNR Building at the State Fair.
The Emerald Ash Borer costume:
Arrive by 11:30 AM to sign in and put on the costume. The EAB costume character will appear on the DNR grounds daily from 12 – 1 PM and again from 2 – 3 PM. Brief breaks for water and to cool down are permitted every 15 minutes or as needed while wearing the costume.
If interested in volunteering to wear the EAB Costume, click on the following link to complete an application, create a volunteer profile on MyVolunteerPage, and select your day on the fair schedule: http://bttr.im/52w27
Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on.
You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this. Maps, instructions and an admission ticket will be mailed to you for each day you volunteer. Remember, all volunteers are limited to no more than 2 days.
For more information, contact Laura Van Riper, Terrestrial Invasive Species Program Coordinator, St. Paul at 651-259-5090 or email Laura.Vanriper@state.mn.us. Written instructions will be provided prior to your shift.
Provide natural resource interpretation to the public in the Wildlife Wing of the DNR building at the Minnesota State Fair.
Sit or stand in the wing as you:
Qualified volunteers must be:
Master Naturalist certification or a natural resources related degree is preferred. You are not expected to be knowledgeable in all areas concerning the DNR. All questions related to DNR policies and procedures are to be referred to DNR staff located outside the State Fair DNR building. Avoid expressing personal opinions.
Time Commitment:
Training:
If interested in volunteering to be a Wildlife Wing Interpreter, click on the following link to complete an application, create a volunteer profile on MyVolunteerPage, and select your day and 3-hour time slot on the fair schedule: http://bttr.im/mfixi
Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities. This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on.
You will receive more information and confirmation of your schedule after this. Maps, instructions and an admission ticket will be mailed to you for each day you volunteer. Remember, all volunteers may sign up for more than 1 shift.
For more information, contact Wendy Lee, Division of Wildlife at 651-322-4643 or email Wendy.lee@state.mn.us. Written instructions will be provided prior to your shift.