Hi all,

My name is Kieran Savage, this year’s Irish Pavilion – Folklorama 2019 Volunteer Coordinator. It is that time again!! Time to welcome Winnipeg-ers, Manitobans, national and international guests to a “bit of the Irish”!

We need help! We need friendly, fun-loving, “get the job done” attitudes! We need YOU!

This year’s Pavilion runs in the second week of the Folklorama festival, Sunday August 11th – Saturday August 17th , at our wonderfully AIR CONDITIONED facility, Soul Sanctuary – 2050 Chevrier Boulevard. Come be a part of the fun, say hi to old friends, make a few new friends!

Similar to last year, you will be receiving an email shortly from an online tool called “SignUpGenius”. It’s an easy way to select when you are available, and what areas of the Pavilion you would like to help. Please note, at times we will need to move people around to different areas to cover where we are short hands.

Here is a link to follow to SignupGenius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4DAAA92FAAF85-irish2

Some events you need to know about, please add to your personal calendar;

• Volunteer Orientation Evening - Thursday July 25th, The Irish Association of Manitoba, 654 Erin Street (Complimentary pub grub and beverage - 6:30pm, Presentation - 7:00pm)

o In keeping with Folklorama’s certification process, all volunteers need to be orientated to some of the mandatory safety information. Please come and get to know your fellow volunteers and enjoy a lovely beverage in the process.

• Stage moving crew – Wednesday July 31st (Time to be determined, beverages provided)

o Will be looking for crew to help unpack the stage from the shipping container behind Soul Sanctuary and move the pieces into the building. The Spirit of Ukraine master carpenters take over from there and put together the colossal jigsaw puzzle of stage.

• Pavilion move-in crew – Saturday August 10th (Time to be determined, beverages provided)

o We’ll meet at the Irish Club to load up the pavilion supplies and equipment in trucks, wait for the Spirit of Ukraine’s pavilion to end and the public to leave, and then begin unloading and setting up, because from this point in time there will be approximately 15 HOURS TILL WE OPEN!! YIKES!!! (haha)

• Pavilion setup crew - Sunday August 11th - 11:00am – 3:30pm

o Setup main hall tables and chairs, dress the tables, help setup food serving station and bar, and clean up

• Pavilion tear down crew – Saturday August 17th (right after the Pavilion closes)

o Tear down and load up, unload back at the Irish Club. All tear-down volunteers will be fed and watered back at the club! (And a wee bit a craic as well!)

• Stage moving crew - Sunday August 18th (Approximately 10:00am – Soul Sanctuary, beverages provided)

o Time move the puzzle pieces of a stage back into the shipping container, back to bed for another year

And lastly, our Thank You to our AMAZING volunteer community . . .

• Volunteer Appreciation Evening – Friday September 6th, 7:00pm, The Irish Association of Manitoba, 654 Erin Street

o Please come out and connect with old and new friends, have dinner a beverages on us!

Important Notes:

• Please wear closed toe shoes for all volunteers activities, whether it’s moving crew or during the week of the pavilion

• Also looking to identify people that would consider carpooling or assisting with rides to/from the pavilion if you are headed that way. Some of our most dedicated volunteers are in need of a lift, and given our awesome community, I’m sure we’ll be able to help everyone out. Wouldn’t you agree? (wink)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me, Kieran Savage at [email protected] or phone or text at 204-793-6076.

You can also reach our Pavilion Co-coordinators Joe Savage at [email protected] or Bonnie Smeaton at [email protected]

Looking forward to working with you all!

Slainté!

Kieran