Festival International de Louisiane is seeking volunteers

Jakori Madison, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read

Festival International begins April 26, and the organizers of the annual event are seeking volunteers. Previous experience is not required.

Haley Valdes has volunteered with Festival International for more than a decade and currently serves as the area manager for artist hospitality. Valdes said her first shift as a volunteer was in artist hospitality. Through the years it grew into experiences she continues to cherish and eventually led to her position as area manager.

Volunteers at the Festival International de Louisiane.
Volunteers at the Festival International de Louisiane.

Ryan Petticrew began volunteering in the late '90s and sold tickets his first time. After considering going off to college in a year, Ryan stayed in Lafayette and continued making memories as a merchandise volunteer.

He recalled a time when he was face to face with headliner Angélique Kidjo when she first came to the Festival in the '90s.

"This was a Saturday night headliner, and we were invited to join her on the stage," Petticrew said. "It was an amazing moment. I felt so good about staying where I was in Lafayette."

Kidjo is returning this year as a headliner, and Petticrew is looking forward to meeting her again.

"Volunteering makes you see how much it takes to put these events together and how much of an impact being a part of the experience makes," Valdes said. "I even jokingly told one of the volunteers they may as well tattoo Festival International on me, because I am in this for life."

Prospective volunteers can sign up at the festival's website and choosing an area to volunteer in and a shift of their choice.

Festival International de Louisiane is looking for volunteers in a variety of positions:

  • Pin Booth

  • Sanitation recycling booth

  • Musicians' Village Café

  • Merchandise

  • Festival Hospitality

  • Artist Transportation

  • Stage Security

  • Wristband Station

For additional information about volunteering at Festival International de Louisiane, visit www.festivalinternational.org

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Festival International invites anyone who want to volunteer to sign up