We are excited to bring back Wooden Boat Festival in 2022 after a 2-year hiatus! We are committed to hosting activities and events that are fun, educational, and follow all federal, state, and local safety recommendations.
Outdoor activities present a low risk of COVID - we do not anticipate requiring proof of vaccination or masking this year. Depending on case loads at the time, masking may be recommended for indoor or crowded areas. Please respect your neighbor's choices to keep themselves safe - WBF is a mask-friendly environment!
As with any of our activities: please stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently, and be considerate of those around you!
Wooden Boat Festival Volunteer Shifts Are Live!
Volunteer shifts for the 2024 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival are now open for sign-up through our new registration system! Click the button below to view available shifts and sign up today.Join the fun!
Volunteer for a Unique Festival Experience
We have an incredible community of over 500 volunteers who come together each year to make this Festival happen. Volunteering for the Festival is a great way to meet new friends, experience the Festival from the inside, and simply have some fun! We offer a variety of roles, each with many shifts to fit your schedule. If you volunteer for 3 shifts, you'll also receive a volunteer t-shirt and a 3-day Festival pass! Not ready to commit to 3 shifts? No problem! We can still use your help, and you'll get into the Festival for free on the day(s) you work.
Step 1
If you are new to volunteering with Northwest Maritime Center, please begin by filling out our general volunteer application. If you have filled out the general volunteer application, thank you! Please just renew our waiver form for this year.
If you're a returning volunteer, you will need to sign the 2024 release waiver. On to step 2.
Step 2
About 6 weeks prior to Festival, it will be time to sign up for shifts! From this webpage you will be able to read about all the fun roles. Each role will have many shifts to choose from. Visit early to nab your preferred roles and shift times! Visit this page frequently because cancellations often re-open roles and shifts.
Step 3
Now that you have your Festival schedule all squared away, a final task is to learn about or brush up on being a Festival Volunteer. Our “toolkit” has some quick helpful basics. Click below to set yourself up for a dynamite experience.
Have Fun Making Your Festival Volunteer Schedule
Shifts available for sign up July 12, 2024
Helpful Tips
- If you've already filled out the General Volunteer Application it's time to read about the different volunteer roles, then select your shifts. Please use the same name and email address for each shift you select. Make sure your shifts don’t conflict with each other. Be sure to follow all the system prompts. Check your inbox! You should receive a confirmation email for each shift you sign up for—retain these for future reference.
- On the registration website, you can click on the role titles to read their descriptions. Sometimes, individual shifts will also have descriptions to read as well.
- Visit the volunteer registration website page frequently because cancellations often re-open roles and shifts.
- Some Area Captains send their volunteers important information prior to Festival from their personal e-addresses and phone numbers. Just during Festival time, please open emails and answer calls from unrecognized contacts. It’s not spam, it’s your Captain! Plan on attending the in-person Volunteer Orientation in August.
- Check out our Volunteer Toolkit for some quick helpful basics.
- Oh no, unable to volunteer this year? We will miss you! You can still support our volunteers by baking/preparing/purchasing a treat or dish to drop by the Volunteer Lounge in Festival Village. No need to find parking - do this with a drive by. Just contact the Volunteer Coordinator and we’ll come grab your donation!
Click on role titles to view descriptions
Select Your Shifts
If you've already filled out the volunteer application (or, for returning volunteers, if you've filled out this year's release waiver) it's time to read about the different volunteer crews, then select your shifts. Please use the same name and email address for each shift you select. Be sure to hit "sign up" before moving on!
Harbormasters oversee all things on the water and help get all boats in and out of the harbor safely. Harbormasters are a specific skill set that includes line handlers, boat crew, and boat drivers and can't be fudged-- the Harbormaster crew are a pre-vetted team. We're sure you have what it takes, but we need to be certain. We're looking for great attitudes, the ability to work well under pressure, and for some, great boat handling skills. **NOTE: This is an application process - signing up here does not automatically make you a Harbormaster. The Harbormaster Lead will contact you to arrange the approval process. Click the link below to apply through our online form today!
Responsible for providing First Aid for all people at the festival site throughout the weekend. This is an Event Medical Team who contracts to provide first response services, with a crew of advanced first aiders, EMTs, nurses, doctors, and more. If you have medical experience and are interested in joining the team, please email jdpollack@gmail.com. They welcome new members!
On-call Crew volunteers have a "go-with-the-flow attitude" and feel comfortable helping with almost any task at WBF in a pinch. If you will be in town and can be ready to come down to WBF on short notice to cover volunteer no-shows and cancellations, please click the button below to be taken to our simple online form into which you can add your name and best contact details. You'll become an instant WBF short-lister! (Any shifts you work as part of this crew count towards your total when seeking the FREE Volunteer t-shirt and entry to the Festival. HOWEVER, it is not certain that we will need to call upon your service as it depends on unforeseen needs.)
Helpful Tips: If you've already filled out the General Volunteer Application (or, for returning volunteers, if you've filled out this year's release waiver) it's time to read about the different volunteer roles, then select your shifts. Please use the same name and email address for each shift you select. Make sure your shifts don’t conflict with each other. Be sure to follow all the system prompts. Check your inbox! You should receive a confirmation email for each shift you sign up for—retain these for future reference.
Some Area Captains send their volunteers important information prior to Festival from their personal e-addresses and phone numbers. Just during Festival time, please open emails and answer calls from unrecognized contacts. It’s not spam, it’s your Captain! Plan on attending the in-person Volunteer Orientation in August.
Oh no, unable to volunteer this year? We will miss you! You can still support our volunteers by baking/preparing/purchasing a treat or dish to drop by the Volunteer Lounge in Festival Village.
Harbormasters oversee all things on the water and help get all boats in and out of the harbor safely. Harbormasters are a specific skill set that includes line handlers, boat crew, and boat drivers and can't be fudged-- the Harbormaster crew are a pre-vetted team. We're sure you have what it takes, but we need to be certain. We're looking for great attitudes, the ability to work well under pressure, and for some, great boat handling skills. **NOTE: This is an application process - signing up here does not automatically make you a Harbormaster. The Harbormaster Lead will contact you to arrange the approval process.
Responsible for providing First Aid for all people at the festival site throughout the weekend. This is an Event Medical Team who contracts to provide first response services, with a crew of advanced first aiders, EMTs, nurses, doctors, and more. If you have medical experience and are interested in joining the team.
On-call Crew volunteers have a "go-with-the-flow attitude" and feel comfortable helping with almost any task at WBF in a pinch. If you will be in town and can be ready to come down to WBF on short notice to cover volunteer no-shows and cancellations, please click the button below to be taken to our simple online form into which you can add your name and best contact details. You'll become an instant WBF short-lister! (Any shifts you work as part of this crew count towards your total when seeking the FREE Volunteer t-shirt and entry to the Festival. HOWEVER, it is not certain that we will need to call upon your service as it depends on unforeseen needs.)
Have questions?
We're excited to welcome you to our Wooden Boat Festival Volunteer Community and we want to make it easy for you to get involved.
If you want or need help, don’t hesitate to contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@woodenboat.org or 360-385-3628, ext. 115 | 360-316-1570 (text OK)
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Have questions?
Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 360.385.3628 x115 or email at volunteer@woodenboat.org
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