Volunteering at Summer in the City

Sheldon Penner, 52, has been volunteering close to 10 years with setting up and taking down tents, fences, and basketball nets, for the Summer in the City festival.

“Driving around on my gator or walking through the crowds on Friday and Saturday there’s just a bustle of excitement and fun,” said Penner.

Around 4,000 attend the festival each year, according to the Summer in the City website.

“Life is hard in a lot of areas and just to help other people, help the community, and help where help is needed, I enjoy my time doing it,” said Penner. “I’m a high energy person. I like to keep doing things and keep moving.”

Henry Unger, volunteer coordinator, said around 200 volunteer positions need to be filled and over 100 people signed up to volunteer.

Last year, they filled 185 spots.

About 40,000 people attend the festival every year, according to the Summer in the City website.

There are many volunteer roles like the information booth, Amazing Race, face painting, arts and crafts, parking lot attendants, ticketing, ushering, refereeing, and scorekeeping.

Volunteers receive a free volunteer t-shirt, snacks after a shift, and a chance to win door prizes.

For Unger, the best part is being in front of the action.

“You get front row seats to everything,” he said.

Summer in the City is from June 13 to 15 in Steinbach.

To volunteer go to summerinthecity.ca/get-involved/.