Cranbury Arts Council’s Halloween Festival 2019
Volunteer Opportunities
General festival description
The festival is comprised of two parts: A “family festival”, which is held on the blacktop/playground area behind Cranbury School, and “A Nightmare Off Main Street” Trail of Scares, held on an adjacent section of the Cranbury Brook Preserve (also known as The West Property).
We welcome volunteers for both parts of the festival. Volunteers can work as little as 1 hour, more than 20, or anything in between. This is a fun community event with a chance to have a really good time while helping out! Creativity is encouraged! Details of the different volunteer opportunities are listed below.
Date: Saturday, October 19th, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Family Festival
The family festival will feature activities for children, community art, costumes, food trucks, music (DJ and live music), and 2 mobile escape rooms. This part of the festival is free from scary content.
“A Nightmare Off Main Street” Trail of Scares
The trail will feature 10-15 "scenes", some static (without actors) and some live (with actors) (Examples: a cemetery, haunted orphanage, scarecrows, creepy carnival, witches). Costumed volunteer "scarers" will be stationed at various locations. Some scenes are created and hosted by CAC, some by members of the community. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. The trail opens at 6:30 and runs until 9.
Volunteer opportunities for both parts of the festival (volunteer one hour or more):
-
Set up
Friday, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
-
Break down
Saturday, 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Family Festival opportunities (4:45 - 9:00 p.m.)
-
General assistance (help manage lines for escape rooms and trail, assist with children’s activities, assist staff as needed)
Trail of Scares opportunities (5:45 - 9:00 p.m.)
Volunteers should be comfortable in the dark.
-
Trail guide: Escort groups around the trail. This is an important (but fun!) role and we need about 10 guides at a time. Guides will do a fair amount of walking around the trail. Black cloaks will be provided, or guides may come in costume.
-
Trail character ("Scarers"): This is the most important part of the trail! Participate on trail to scare groups, either as part of an established “scene”, or as a costumed character willing to jump out, follow guests, or just be creepy along the trail. We’ll work with anyone interested in this, and no experience is necessary. Masks/costumes will be provided, or you may bring your own. Character examples: Zombies, creepy children, scarecrows, clowns, skeletons/ghouls, spirits
-
Trail assistant: Help monitor sections of the trail to make sure lights and sound are working and props are intact. Escort scared children and families off the trail as needed. Help manage lines if needed.
-
Scene creator: Have fun and try to win a cash prize creating your own walk-through “scene” on the trail, either static or live. (Maximum time is approximately one minute.) We’re open to all ideas! You can recreate a scene from a movie, reimagine a fairy tale, story, or graphic novel in frightening way, write a short horror story you can tell or act out, come up with your own idea, or we can make suggestions. You’re welcome to include your family and friends, to work alone or in a group. Community service hours would include all planning, time spent creating/building props and making/finding costumes (if necessary), shopping time if needed, and time on the trail, including set up and breakdown of your scene. We’ll work with anyone interested in this. Ideas must be approved by us for appropriateness. Hours will range from 4 - 20 or more, depending on your interest and time you’d like to invest.
-
Prop making: Create simple or complex props you think would add a creepy or scary element to the trail. You can come up with your own ideas, or you can help make something we're already planning (e.g., painting, assembling). Hours are variable and dependent on your interest.
-
Prop remote operator: Use a button-controlled remote device to trigger props on one section of the trail. This is a great job for someone who would like to sit.
If you’re Interested in signing up or would like more information, please contact us (cranburyartscouncil@gmail.com), or use this link.