One of DC's largest spectator events, the energy-filled National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC runs for 10 blocks along iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival. We need help getting those giant balloons down the route! Widely known as a "D.C. Bucket List Must," volunteer as a Balloon Handler and assist the Production Team with a crucial piece of the Parade from start to finish. This is a great position for groups looking to volunteer together! Volunteers in this position MUST be at least 18 years old NO EXCEPTIONS. Primary Responsibilities: • Assist with the inflation of your assigned Parade Balloon • Work with other Balloon Handlers of your assigned balloon to ensure not one person is tasked with the weight of keeping the balloon from flying away • Assist with the deflation of your assigned Parade Balloon at the end of the Parade route • Be patient and prepared for all of the "hurry up and wait" moments • Keep a smile on! You may be on national television! Secondary Responsibilities: • Arrive on-time (or even better, as early as you can!) and prepared for the weather (this event is rain or shine!) with the proper Parade Uniform o The parade balloons are featured in the televised version of the Parade, it is very important our volunteers are in matching uniform • Be flexible as volunteer needs come up! Sometimes we need to move volunteers to different balloons • Able to stand for the duration of your shift and walk the length of the Parade route while carrying the string of a balloon (requires strength and teamwork) Parade Uniform: • Long Black Pants and Parade Volunteer T-shirt (provided at check-in) o Volunteer T-shirt must ALWAYS be the outermost layer of clothing (this includes over any purses, backpacks, etc.) o Check the weather and come prepared with under-layers as necessary • Depending on the sponsor of the balloon assigned, these may be short OR long-sleeved t-shirts • Comfortable Close-Toed Shoes • Please no hats, sunglasses are okay, and bring your own sunscreen! • Limit your personal belongings, there is no storage available for those walking in the Parade ABSOLUTELY NO LARGE BACKPACKS ARE ALLOWED. To sign up, please fill out the Google form in the Facebook group or message me. An hour of travel time is included each way.