BECOME A VOLUNTEER

The Vendor Care Team at Appalachian HorrorFest ensures our marketplace runs with warmth, precision, and eerie charm. Team members greet and onboard vendors, assist with booth setup, and provide ongoing support throughout the event, from troubleshooting logistics to offering break coverage and wellness checks. They help maintain a welcoming atmosphere, encourage vendor engagement with themed activations, and serve as the connective tissue between artisans, food trucks, and the festival’s mission. Ideal candidates are community-minded, calm under pressure, and excited to support the creative spirit of Appalachia’s most haunted gathering.

Runners serve as vital links between teams, managing communication, running errands, and assisting with various tasks to ensure smooth operations. This role involves moderate physical activity.

As the welcoming face of the festival, this forward-facing customer service role sets the tone for attendees’ experience from the moment they arrive. Volunteers in this position serve as the first point of contact on event day, offering friendly greetings, managing ticket sales, answering questions, and overseeing entry queues with professionalism and care. Responsibilities include verifying and collecting tickets, providing accurate event information, and helping guests navigate the festival grounds, all with minimal physical effort required. Whether stationed at the entrance or assisting with crowd flow, this role is essential to creating a smooth, inviting, and memorable festival experience.

Stagehands play a critical role in the logistical planning, preparation, execution, and oversight of shows to ensure seamless production. Key responsibilities include setting up and organizing the venue and stage, handling equipment, and assisting with on-site adjustments during the event. This role requires adaptability, teamwork, and moderate physical activity, such as lifting, carrying, and extended periods of standing or moving.

Security & Communication volunteers help ensure Appalachian HorrorFest runs safely and smoothly. They monitor event spaces, manage crowd flow, assist with conflict resolution, and support emergency response when needed. They also relay key updates, guide guests, and serve as friendly points of contact throughout the festival. This role requires alertness, professionalism, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain focused and composed for extended periods. A background in customer service or event operations is helpful, but a love for horror and a collaborative spirit are essential.

Play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of festival attendees by providing immediate assistance during medical situations. Responsibilities include administering basic first aid, supporting the on-site medical team with equipment and logistics, and directing attendees to appropriate medical services when needed. These volunteers must remain calm under pressure, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate empathy and quick decision-making. The role may involve moderate physical activity, such as walking across the festival grounds or carrying first aid supplies.