Looking to get involved with the Ithaca Festival? Great! Whether you are a returning festivizer or a newbie there are many ways to experience the festival. This provides an overview of the different categories of participation and who belongs in each category.
Volunteer
We are always looking for more volunteers. The festival runs on volunteer power and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of community members who love the festival and just want to help out. You can volunteer pre-fest or at the festival. Pre-fest jobs could include organizing kid’s crafts, folding t-shirts, or office work. Most of our volunteer is at the festival. We need volunteers to help with parade patrol, tech crew, selling merchandise, distributing buttons, CRT crew, bounce house brigade, selling volvo raffle tickets and more! Volunteering is a great way to experience the festival in a new way, it’s fun, and we give you free stuff! For more information, or to fill out the application, go to our volunteer page or email volunteer@ithacafestival.org.
Participate in a Festival Feature
The festival is a collective of multiple community facets, from green businesses and non-profits to community organizations and musicians. Here are the categories, which one seems right for you? Performers – talented individuals who want to be on stage at the festival. Craft show – selling of art, handmade crafts, specialty foods
Food Vendors – selling food and beverages, full menu
Parade – theme related entries from businesses, community groups, non-profits, school groups
All of the above categories have a required application process. In order to participate in the festival you must fill out the appropriate application and be accepted. Each category has a limited number of spots so be sure to submit your application before the deadline!
Businesses, Non-profits and Community Groups
The festival does not allow businesses to vend or market themselves at the festival. A business may have a presence and a booth at the festival through sponsorship.
Non-profits are allowed to table at the festival. This means they can set up a table-top display for educational and awareness raising purposes only. All non-profits must apply.
If you are a community group that provides a family service you may participate in the festival by providing a kid’s activity or family entertainment in the Family Fun area. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Jes Seaver at director@ithacafestival.org.
Ithaca Festival Board
The Ithaca Festival Board of Directors establishes festival policy and provides input on budgetary concerns, merchandise development and general festival programs. The board provides support for the staff as they plan the festival. Being on the board is an extremely rewarding experience and a great way to experience the intricate inner-workings of the festival.
We are currently looking for dependable and involved community members who love the festival to serve on the board. The festival is almost back to full-strength from 2008 and we need a strong board to return the festival to it’s former glory and excel to new and exciting heights. For more information about this opportunity contact Drew Noden, Board President, at board@ithacafestival.org or Michelle Wright, Secretary, at michelle@ithacafestival.org.
Sponsors
Over the course of 4 days, the Ithaca Festival attracts over 30,000 people to Downtown Ithaca and Stewart Park. The festival provides an ideal opportunity to maximize visibility of your brand or business. Choose from a variety of sponsorship opportunities that will allow you to focus on your target demographic and get results. Or, we would be happy to set up a personalized sponsorship package that will meet your marketing needs. For more information or to request a sponsorship proposal contact Jes Seaver at director@ithacafestival.org.
Friends and Donors
We are a free festival, for the people, by the people. Being a free festival presents many budgetary challenges and gives rise to some creative programming. We want the festival to stay free, but of course, it costs quite a bit of money to put on the kind of festival we all know and love. Here, we must reach out to the community and ask any community members who are so-inclined to donate to the festival. We are very serious when we say, “Every little bit helps!” Thank you to our generous supporters.