How to Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the 2025 Procession of the Species. This incredible event is entirely volunteer-driven and relies on community members like you to bring it to life.

With just a few weeks to go until the big weekend at the end of April, we need all hands on deck! Your help can make a real difference.

Click here to find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!

You can also find a quick guide to participating in the Procession on the How to Participate page.

Here’s where volunteers are especially needed during Procession Weekend:

FRIDAY OF PROCESSION WEEKEND

Volunteers are needed to connect bamboo to luminaries and carry over to the beginning of the Luminary Procession, to keep an eye on luminary during the Procession at Sylvester Park, and then to collect and return luminary to the studio afterwards.

ON THE DAY OF THE PROCESSION

EVERYONE meet at 9:00 am at the Procession Studio for coffee, snacks and assignments. At 9:30 there will be a logistics meeting for all volunteers. This is the big day!

Dozens of Volunteers (#) are needed for the following tasks:

In the morning:

  • Readying Element banners and registration gear for staging the beginning of the Procession route – set-up a starting point 11:00 am (4+ people)

  • Moving the large animal carts, banners etc from the Studio to Legion x Cherry – 12:00 pm (20+)

  • Connecting bamboo to banners, wind silhouettes (i.e. fish on sticks), and windsocks so that they are ready to handout - 2:30 p.m. (4)

  • Handing out windsocks, spangles, float pullers – 4:00 pm (4)

  • Crewing Registration Tables and Food donation collection; acting as Information Guides – 3:30 pm (6)

After the Procession:

Helping to move things back to the Studio from Heritage Fountain Park – 6:30 to 9:00 pm – whoever’s left standing!

SUNDAY OF PROCESSION WEEKEND

Everyone meet at the Bread Peddler on Capitol Way ust north of State Street for coffee at 9:00 am, then help clean up the streets along the Procession route. Bring a large plastic bag and gloves to wear.

Wow! We Did It Once Again!!!
Thank You!!!

Who creates the Procession? 

Over 100 community volunteers create and produce the Procession. You can join any effort at any time, for as long as you like!  Future processions always need help - please contact Eli Sterling at olympiaprocecession@gmail.com if you have expertise in any of the following areas:

  • Art, music, and dance workshops

  • Bookkeeping

  • Community Art Studio staff and committee

  • Computer support

  • Poster distribution

  • Environmental outreach

  • Fundraising committee

  • General outreach

  • Grant writing

  • Graphic design

  • Logistics

  • Outreach to K-12 schools

  • Photography and videography

  • Procession art guide

  • Public relations

  • Recycling scavenger

  • Registration

  • Special events 

  • T-shirt design and sales

  • Volunteer coordination