Be a part of the fun! This page has all the information on volunteering with Otafest. Here’s everything you need to know about joining the team.
Otafest is powered by our volunteers. Seriously, this festival wouldn’t exist without the passion and energy you bring, and we are dedicated to making your experience with us unforgettable. Volunteering is the ultimate way to level up your Otafest experience, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how the magic happens while adding experience to your resume.
Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with friends, our goal is to keep you smiling all weekend long.
Selections will be made by early-mid March. We will notify all applicants as to whether they've been accepted or not at that time.
To ensure the festival runs smoothly for everyone, we ask our volunteers to commit to the following:
Meeting these requirements is your first step to joining the crew!
Your hard work does not go unrewarded. As part of the Otafest crew, you get:
We used to provide pre-selected meals, but volunteer feedback was loud and clear: you want choice. So, instead of us picking your lunch, we provide a food stipend so you can grab what you actually want to eat. The amount is based on the number of shifts you rock:
4 Shifts
$30.00
5-6 Shifts
$40.00
7-8 Shifts
$50.00
9+ Shifts
$60.00
+ our undying affection and gratitude
Note: Volunteers in specialized roles (e.g., Pokémon League, Sketch Drive, Café) receive a flat $50.00 stipend, as these positions often require significant pre-festival commitment.
Every volunteer is a crucial part of the festival. Before diving into the specific roles, here are the core responsibilities shared by every single volunteer:
Now, find the role that’s right for you. You can select your preferences on the application form.
You are the front line, the first official welcome that attendees receive! You are their first impression of Otafest, so a friendly smile and positive energy are your most important tools. Admissions volunteers sell passes and check in pre-registered guests in a fast but friendly environment.
You are the purveyor of deliciousness in our mini-convenience store (CONbini)! The scent of fresh melon pan is in the air, and you’re there to sell tasty baked goods, drinks, and other treats to hungry festival-goers.
Your Mission: Deliver amazing customer service. You’ll be asked for recommendations, so feel free to suggest your favorites! The goal is to make ordering snacks a fun part of the festival experience.
You’ll Be Great If You: Have an outgoing personality and enjoy customer interaction.
You are the ultimate navigator for our massive marketplace of vendors, artists, and community groups. You are the key to maintaining a safe and accessible flow for thousands of attendees.
Your Mission: Master the art of traffic flow. Check for badges at the entrance, politely directing anyone without one to Admissions, help manage traffic flow, and keep pathways clear for safety. You will also be a champion for Otafest’s chosen charity, encouraging donations from attendees in a fun, no-pressure way.
You’ll Be Great If You: Are friendly and energetic, comfortable being on your feet, and can be politely assertive when needed to keep crowds moving.
You are the guardian of the game space, where attendees come to play, earn tickets, and win prizes. You’re part coach, part technician, and part cheerleader.
Your Mission: Encourage attendees to try new games, celebrate their high scores, hand out prize tickets, and manage lines when things get busy. You’ll also be the first line of tech support, mastering the art of turning things off and on again and keeping the lines for popular games moving.
You’ll Be Great If You: Are observant, willing to learn the games yourself so you can help others, and have a positive, supportive attitude in a high-energy environment.
You are the masters of flow and the keepers of hype. You don’t just manage lines; you ensure they are safe, efficient, and that attendees have a great time, even while they wait.
Your Mission: Construct and manage the arteries of the festival. You’ll learn to build safe, efficient lines that never block doors or exits. You’re willing to learn the rules for special passes and prioritize accessibility for those who need it.
You’ll Be Great If You: Can communicate clearly and calmly under pressure, have a solution-oriented mindset, are good with directions, and enjoy being organized so the entire festival can keep moving smoothly.
You get to show off our awesome gear! As a Merchandise volunteer, you’ll run the official Otafest booth, connecting attendees with exclusive collectibles and swag they’ll treasure for years.
Your Mission: Provide a fantastic shopping experience. You’ll help attendees find the right size, recommend products, and process sales. Every transaction you handle helps fund the future of the festival.
You’ll Be Great If You: Have a sociable and outgoing personality, enjoy customer interaction, and have some cash-handling experience.
You are the watchful guardians of good times, ensuring that cosplay and safety go hand-in-hand. You are the friendly, visible presence that makes sure everyone can show off their hard work without worry.
Your Mission: Patrol the festival grounds in a pairs. You’ll check that all props have the correct safety tag and politely escort anyone with an untagged prop to a check-in booth.
You’ll Be Great If You: Are observant and detail-oriented, have a calm and diplomatic communication style, and enjoy being on the move.
You are the backbone of every panel and event. You work behind the scenes to ensure our huge variety of events run without a hitch, supporting panelists and attendees from setup to teardown.
Your Mission: Your primary duty is checking badges at panel room doors and keeping a headcount. You’ll be ready to spring into action to help set up rooms, which may include moving chairs and tables, and provide basic technical support to panelists.
You’ll Be Great If You: Are reliable and personable, know a little bit about computers, and enjoy being directly involved in making the festival’s content happen.
Otafest communicates primarily through email. Please add volunteer@otafest.com to your safe senders list to ensure our messages don’t get lost in your spam folder.
Simply put: commitment.
In the past, no-shows and late arrivals have created huge challenges for the festival (we’re not joking when we say we can’t run without our volunteers). This deposit ensures we have a reliable and dedicated team ready to make Otafest amazing.
Please understand that this deposit is not about making money; we’d much rather return it to you! By showing up on time, staying focused on your tasks, and adhering to the event guidelines, you’ll get your deposit back!
You must be at least 13 years old by the date of your first shift.
No problem! Once you’ve received your acceptance email, let the volunteer team know at volunteer@otafest.com and your pass will be refunded.
Absolutely! Head to the volunteer room first to check in for the day and grab your badge. After that, you’re free to explore until it’s time to report for duty.
Life happens. If you need to withdraw, please email us at volunteer@otafest.com as soon as possible so we can reassign your shifts. Please note that cancellations after May 1st may affect your ability to volunteer at future events, barring extenuating circumstances.
Bring anything you need to ensure you can have a safe time while volunteering.
