Lead Volunteer Positions
for the 2026 Ithaca Pride Festival
Can you step up as a Lead Volunteer?
In order to make this year’s Pride a success, we need dedicated volunteers willing to meet with the leadership team in the Spring and be available during Pride weekend to support a safe, accessible, and connected Pride Festival for all. Applications are easy and we need your support - can you step up and volunteer?
Interest due by April 18th.
Positions we need help with (click to jump to description):
All Lead Volunteer positions require attendance at weekly planning meetings (Sundays at Noon), independent organizational work leading up to the event, and full availability during Pride Weekend, June 12–14, 2026.
Safety & Accessibility
Ensure a welcoming, secure, and accessible environment for all festival-goers. This person bridges the gap between our professional security team & existing safety and accessibility plans and the community’s specific needs. You will need to receive calls on a personal cell phone during Pride (although your number will not be shared) and be comfortable giving directions and responding in the event of an emergency.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage check-in, briefing, and zone assignments for the hired professional security team and dedicated medical team during Sunday’s Pride Festival.
Review and update the existing Emergency Response Plan (including protocols for inclement weather, medical response, and active shooter scenarios). We have an existing plan; you can update it for this year and identify areas for improvement.
Oversee a team of crossing guards managing pedestrians across N. Cayuga St.
Serve as the primary "on-call" point of contact for real-time accessibility requests or accommodations during the festival. The Ithaca Pride Alliance already has an accessibility plan and materials for Pride, but this position could refine or support additional needs in this area during planning or day-of to further improve our access & inclusion.
Availability:
Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday, June 13th, from 2pm-10pm
Pride in the Park on Sunday, June 14th, from 8am-7pm
Logistics & Operations
The engine of the festival. You are responsible for the physical transformation of downtown Ithaca into a festival grounds and back again. This is not a front-facing role, and you will not have to interact with Pride guests but will need to work with a team to help execute plans and move materials. This position will require moving and lifting 20lbs and being mobile throughout a large area of the festival.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead a dedicated team of 15–20 volunteers during Friday load-in and Sunday load-out.
Direct the placement of tables, tents, chairs, and festival signage according to the site map. (We have a plan! You’ll help improve and execute).
Oversee the execution of the existing trash & recycling bins, restrooms and sanitation plan, help volunteers stay on top of trash and restocking bathrooms throughout the weekend.
Problem-solve general event logistics (trash flow, water stations, etc.) to ensure a seamless experience for vendors and guests.
Availability:
Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday June 13th from 2pm-10pm
Pride in the Park on Sunday June 14th from 8am-7pm
Performer Support
Work behind the scenes to ensure our talent feels supported. You’ll partner with our Lead Performer Manager to keep the stage schedule tight and the energy high. You will interact with performers but otherwise be largely behind the scenes. Two people are needed for this role!
Key Responsibilities:
Coordinate the flow of performers between acts (backstage to stage-side) making sure people get where they need to go, on time!
Act as the liaison for the MC, providing bios, updates, and "next up" information.
Assist with "stagehand" duties, such as moving props or materials on and off stage between sets.
Collaborate with the professional sound team (Practice At) to ensure performers have what they need for a smooth handoff. You will not need to manage any technical details with sound, amplification, etc.
Availability:
Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday June 13th from 2pm-10pm
Pride in the Park on Sunday June 14th from 8am-7pm
Volunteer Support
Support our Board Lead in managing the "heart" of the festival—our volunteers. You are the friendly face that ensures everyone is trained, empowered, and in the right place at the right time. This position is forward-facing, you will talk to lots of people during the day and be able to make quick decisions about how to support or allocate time and solve problems.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the "Day-Of" volunteer check-in station on Saturday and Sunday by greeting each new volunteer and helping them get a T-shirt, get acquainted with their work shift, and answer any questions.
Facilitate several brief, online volunteer training sessions leading up to the weekend activities, and update asynchronous training materials.
Act as a "floater" and guide during the event to help volunteers navigate to their assigned stations, and make sure the food & drink tent is working properly for volunteers to have a place to rest, recharge, or stash their stuff.
Maintain real-time communication with the Board Lead to fill any sudden gaps in staffing.
Help promote and recruit volunteer sign-ups in the community to ensure all roles get filled!
Availability:
Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday June 13th from 2pm-10pm
Pride in the Park on Sunday June 14th from 8am-7pm (with breaks)
Family & Kid Activities
Create a vibrant, inclusive space for our youngest Pride-goers. This role is perfect for someone who loves community outreach and event programming. You will work with children and families throughout the day.
Key Responsibilities:
Coordinate and manage on-site "activations" (games, crafts, or reading corners) dedicated to families and children. The Ithaca Pride Alliance Board already has some plans underway, but your creative input and management of a volunteer team day-of will make our festival welcoming for families.
Reach out to local businesses and youth-centric community groups to encourage participation and sponsorship of family zones.
Ensure the family area is safe, engaging, and reflective of the diverse families within the LGBTQ+ community.
Oversee volunteers helping with the tye-dye station, youth parade, or other activations and support or answer any questions.
Availability:
Pride in the Park on Sunday June 14th from 8am-7pm
Event Information
Warm, welcoming, and eager to help, your role is to greet people who stop by the information tent and answer any questions about Pride! This position will interact with lots of people - you are great at quickly helping people and managing large crowds. This role can be done seated or standing and is only needed part-time.
Key Responsibilities:
Know all there is to know about Pride weekend activities and help visitors grab a guide, know where to go and what to see, take pronoun pins and stickers, or answer questions about how to get involved as a volunteer.
Help your volunteer team who will support information get acquainted with information and plug in to make the information tent a success all weekend long
Tell people about how they can buy a Pride t-shirt, donate to the Ithaca Pride Alliance, and how to participate in the silent auction
Direct any press or leadership questions to the Board / Pride Leadership team on call throughout the weekend
Availability:
Bernie Milton Pavilion on Saturday June 13th from 4pm-10pm
Pride in the Park on Sunday June 14th from 1pm-7pm