The following General Volunteer positions are available for parade day. Please read the description of each position before applying.
BALLOON HANDLERS
You must be 18 years and older. GROUPS ARE WELCOME! - we encourage you to get your friends, family, co-workers, and service organizations involved as well! If not, we have lots of individuals who register on their own, too!
Read More »BALLOON HANDLERS
As a Balloon Handler, you will be expected to report on parade day by approximately 5:30AM. (Except for the inflation team that will report at 3:30AM) At that time you will be met by your Balloon Captain, who will direct you to dress in a balloon handler costume. The Captain will then escort you to the balloon that you have been assigned to for training. Most balloons require 15-40 individuals to carry. Your report location on parade day will be the SONESTA Hotel at 18th and Market Streets.
A Balloon Handler must be at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 lbs.
If you volunteer for this position it is urgent that you follow through and show up on parade day; each and every Balloon Handler is needed to safely handle one of our giant helium-filled balloons or one of our cold-air balloons! A Balloon Handler must be able to walk the 1.8-mile long parade route. If you have a group - make sure that you follow instruction for setting up a group and share the group name for individuals to register under your group name.
PARADE DAY REPORT TIME:
5:30AM Thanksgiving DayBALLOON HANDLERS – INFLATION TEAM
You must be 18 years and older. GROUPS ARE WELCOME! - we encourage you to get your friends, family, co-workers, and service organizations involved as well!
Read More »BALLOON HANDLERS – INFLATION TEAM
As a Balloon Handler on the inflation team, you will be expected to report on parade day by at 3:30AM. At that time you will be directed to dress in a balloon handler costume. You will then be escorted to the balloon inflation area to help inflate the balloons to be used in the parade! All Inflation Team members will be given consideration on the first large balloons to go down the parade route. Most balloons require 15-40 individuals to carry. Your report location on parade day will be the SONESTA Hotel at 18th and Market Streets.
Please note that first considerations for this role will go to larger groups, so gather a group of friends, family, co-workers, or service organizations to join you! A Balloon Handler must be at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 lbs.
If you volunteer for this position it is urgent that you follow through and show up on parade day; each and every Balloon Handler is needed to safely handle one of our giant helium-filled balloons or one of our cold-air balloons! A Balloon Handler must be able to walk the 1.8-mile long parade route. If you have a group - make sure that you follow instruction for setting up a group and share the group name for individuals to register under your group name.
PARADE DAY REPORT TIME:
3:30AM Thanksgiving DayPARADE CLOWN
You must be 14 years and older. All volunteers who are between 14 and 17 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult!
You may not use your own clown costume. Anyone wearing their own costume will be turned away on parade day.Read More »Parade Clown
YOU MUST BE ANIMATED AND FUN FOR THIS POSITION!!! On parade day, you will receive your costume and have clown make-up applied to your face. Your parade responsibilities will end upon the return of your clown costume. Your parade responsibility will involve entertaining the parade audience...outgoing personalities are encouraged. Please be ready to make everyone smile!!! You cannot use your own clown costume - you must be dressed in one of our clown costumes for security purposes.
Your report location on parade day will be the SONESTA Hotel at 18th and Market Streets.
PARADE DAY REPORT TIME:
7:00AM Thanksgiving morningBANNER CARRIERS
We have 100 positions in this area, where two people carry a banner either for a star or for a sponsor. This is a prime "solo" opportunity!
Read More »Banner Carrier
This position is GREAT for a couple - or two good friends, or even individuals. You will have the chance to carry a banner either for a celebrity or a sponsor up the parade route. Please note that there will only be two people per banner going down the parade route. You will be given a sweatshirt to use as your costume on parade day, while you will need to provide your own black pants and shoes - AND you get to keep the sweatshirt!
Your report location on parade day will be the SONESTA Hotel at 18th and Market Streets.
PARADE DAY REPORT TIME:
7:00AM Thanksgiving morning