Become part of the Columbia LakeFest volunteer family
Columbia LakeFest, the largest and longest running music and art festival in Howard County, cannot happen without the help of volunteers. Volunteers assist primarily with on-site LakeFest events but may also help with office tasks and reception or ushering at indoor events throughout the rest of the year. Shifts range from two to four hours. You select your volunteer task(s) based on your availability and interests. A sample of volunteer tasks are listed below. Volunteers who assist with LakeFest receive a free tee shirt, stand by seating for any ticketed events at LakeFest and an invitation to the volunteer picnic in late June or July.
Since there are dozens of volunteer tasks, we highly recommend you attend an information session that gives you a quick overview of our volunteer positions. Links to those sessions, as well as the mandatory training required for all LakeFest volunteers are below.
To register as a volunteer, follow these steps:
How to Volunteer
1) Complete the 2-page volunteer registration form.
Complete our volunteer registration form via the link below. This information allows our volunteer team to assess your experience level and enter you into our 2026 volunteer database.
2) Wait for contact
Our volunteer coordinator will contact you with more information regarding upcoming training and discuss potential volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Jobs & Positions
- Provide assistance and food to performers backstage
- Provide breaks for artists in booths
- Sell performer and festival merchandise
- Assist with loading/unloading/transporting artwork and supplies to artists’ booths
- Provide information to event guests
- Assist guests with interactive artistic activities
- Provide office support
- Assist in ensuring the event’s environmental control efforts are effective
- Greet/usher guests at indoor events
For policy and additional info about volunteering: View Volunteer Manual
2026 New Volunteer Information Sessions
- Tuesday, 24 March, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (on Zoom) – register here
- Saturday, 18 April, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (on Zoom) – register here
- Tuesday, 12 May, 7:00 -8:00 p.m. (on Zoom) – register here
2026 Mandatory LakeFest Training Sessions
- Tuesday, 2 June, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (on Zoom) – register here
- Saturday, 6 June, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (on Zoom) – register here
- In Person Mandatory Training Session (location and time TBD)