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Norsk Hostfest seeks volunteers, perks available to those who sign up

With more than 2,000 slots to fill, Norsk Hostfest is putting out a call for volunteers to help bring the annual festival back to Minot after a two-year break.

One of the community’s largest events, Hostfest has 2,187 volunteer spots to fill in 46 volunteer areas and 293 shifts. Alexis Meyer, Norsk Hostfest coordinator with EPIC Events, said despite scaling back — more than 4,000 volunteers have participated annually in the past — the festival still depends on that support.

“We cannot do it without volunteers, and if we don’t get volunteers, then that’s another area of the festival that we might have to look at downsizing,” Meyer said. “We definitely rely on them, and we need a lot.”

Volunteers who work during the festival from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 receive free general admission for the day that they are volunteering. They also receive a T-shirt and 15% off most Hostfest merchandise, 25% if working four or more shifts.

Shifts are four hours.

“We do have shifts that don’t require anyone to really stand,” Meyer said, indicating there are jobs that are suitable for anyone. “We rely on the base for a lot of our indoor security needs, which we’re very grateful that they’re going to be helping us out again this year. We also have some new areas, like our family zone. We’ll have people hanging out in that area, too, as volunteers.”

Among areas of volunteer need are the Scandi kitchen, music sales shop, information desk and clog shop.

“We’ve just a bunch of different areas around the festival that we need people for,” Meyer said. Some volunteers already have been put to work this week on move-in and decorating. 

Some local organizations with vendor offerings at Hostfest also have been looking for volunteers. Meyer said Hostfest has a new arrangement with vendors this year in which vendors will pay for space and purchase $5 worker passes that cover the entire event. Hostfest will not be otherwise involved in vendor activities or charge any commissions.

“We just wanted to streamline things and make it a little easier,” Meyer said.

People interested in volunteering can learn more and sign up at Hostfest.com by selecting the volunteer option under the “about” tab. They also can call the Hostfest office at 852-2368 or stop by headquarters in the lower level of the Scandinavian Heritage Center at the corner of Broadway and 11th Avenue Southwest.

Meyer said they would like to fill volunteer slots as soon as possible but will take sign-ups as long as positions are open.

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