Volunteer with pride

The Cork Pride Festival is just about ready to kick off this weekend but is still in search of some last minute volunteers to help out.

Running from this Saturday to 4 August, the vibrant festival will feature more than 30 separate events of all shapes and sizes, each of which requiring plenty of eager volunteers.

This year is the first time the Cork Volunteer Centre has taken on the responsibility for securing volunteers the popular festival.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Placement Officer with Cork Volunteer Centre, Adam Lacey, said: “There are many different events and trying to find volunteers for all of them is a big challenge.

“Some of the events require a lot more volunteers than others, for example the Cork Pride Family Fun Day, and that’s a full-day event so we’re looking for as many volunteers as possible for that.

“We have smaller events happening too like our film night in St Peter’s which will need less volunteers but will still need some to get popcorn, to show people where to sit and to answer queries and things like that.”

The festival will explode into action on Saturday morning with the Rainbow Run in Ballincollig Regional Park where runners must wear the most colourful outfits they can possibly muster.

The three largest events will be the Cork Pride Family Fun Day on Sunday 28 July in Fitzgerald Park, The Cork Pride Village in Bishop Lucey Park on 3 August, and the main event, the Cork Pride Parade assembling on Grand Parade on Sunday 4 August.

Adam said: “The longer days are usually split into two shifts so people can choose the morning shift or the evening shift, which has worked in the past.

“We’ve had a very high level of interest, but then when people see the times they sometimes change their mind or they might have to work, so it doesn’t always work out.”

He continued: “Attracting volunteers can depend on the time of year. This time of year it can be a little more difficult because people are on holidays or maybe students have gone back home for the summer.

“It’s a big community atmosphere. You’re making new friends, you’re meeting people from different countries, you’re meeting like minded people, as well as people who are very different to you, so it’s very immersive and you’ll never be left alone as you’ll always be with a group of volunteers.”

A full programme for the Cork Pride Festival 2019 can be found on the website corkpride.com.

To register as a volunteer for the Pride festival visit volunteercork.ie or email Adam at adam@volunteercork.ie.