Whole Foods Community Day
The Art Car Parade wants you: Houston's kooky 25-year tradition recruitsvolunteers
Nothing says Houston like a kooky art car.
The zany mingling of an oil-dependent clunker with the Bayou City's belief that anything can be art, and anyone can be an artist, gave birth to a decades-long tradition that is as Houston as the Astrodome, love it or hate it or just plain don't understand it.
The 25th Annual Art Car Parade, set for May 12, expects to attract more than 300,000 spectators to gawk at more than 250 vehicles from around the country. And then there's the Art Car Ball on May 10, one of the most untamed costumed fetes in Houston during which even the most proper of socialites takes a walk on the wild side.
As the Art Car festivities fast approach, so does the need for volunteers that contribute to running them like a well-oiled machine. And it takes between 300 to 400 volunteers giving up 2,000 man hours to do so.
"It's an opportunity talk and bond with the people that have made this tradition alive and well for so many years. Volunteers are first in line where otherwise you would have to wait to see anything."
"Volunteers get up close and personal with the artists," Carol Simmons, volunteer coordinator, says. "It's an opportunity talk and bond with the people that have made this tradition alive and well for so many years. Volunteers are first in line where otherwise you would have to wait to see anything."
Curious how to get involved?
Here's what you can do:
- Crowd control
- Man beverage booths
- Work gift shop booths
- Help set up and take down
- Check in artists
- Offer support for artists, volunteers and office staff
- Host an out-of-town art car artist for the weekend
And here's what you get back:
- Behind the scenes look
- Free limited edition T-shirt
- Bagels and coffee on parade morning
- Early admission
- Invitation to the Volunteer Thank You Party in June
- Warm and fuzzies knowing that you are part of something big
You can sign up online now or attend the Volunteer Recruitment Party at Whole Foods Market Montrose from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, during which you can meet other volunteers, make friends, and enjoy light bites and beverages while learning more about the folks behind the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts.
For the kiddos, art car workshops will be set up at the Whole Foods Bellaire, Wilcrest and Woodway stores where children can design their own mini art car.
In addition, Whole Foods Kirby, Bellaire, Montrose, Woodway and Wilcrest will donate five percent of Wednesday's sales back to the nonprofit.
So while you are at it, do some grocery shopping.
