The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery (MJM&AG) missed out on its biggest fundraiser for two years, but Park Art is finally returning to Crescent Park and the MJM&AG is looking for volunteers to help the day along.
Park Art will be held on Canada Day, Friday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Moose Jaw Kinsmen will be in Crescent Park all day putting on other Canada Day celebration activities.
One of Saskatchewan’s biggest arts and crafts fairs, Park Art is returning for the first time since 2019. The MJM&AG, a vital component of Moose Jaw culture, relies on this one day as an important source of funding.
Without volunteers, Part Art would not be possible.
Volunteer shifts are available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each shift is two hours long. And, of course, volunteers get free admission to Park Art.
Volunteer roles include:
- Setup and take-down
- Admissions
- Host
- Registration
- Penny Parade
- Peggy Table
- Facilities
- Gift Shop
- Volunteer/Vendor Support
Vincent Houghtaling, administrative assistant at the MJM&AG, said that they are having a more difficult time this year, as the COVID lull has caused a loss of momentum.
“It hasn’t been an issue in the past, but some of our regulars are not going out as much, and we have a few people that have retired and so on,” he explained. “The issue is just that the people with the connections to previous volunteers have moved on, so we’re looking a little harder this year.”
Volunteers usually show up in pairs or groups. Two hours sitting with a friend under the shady boughs of Crescent Park trees, while greeting and helping the thousands of visitors Park Art attracts each year, is not a bad way to spend time.
Between shifts, volunteers can browse the more than 50 booths filled with handmade goods from cookies to sculptures to carvings and more.
Some of the shifts are at the beginning and end of the day to help with setup and takedown, Houghtaling said. Others will be registering vendors and helping them set up their booths, taking admissions, selling tickets for the penny parade, and helping visitors navigate the park.
Email Vincent Houghtaling at [email protected] for more information and to register as a volunteer.
