River Walk Holiday River Parade! Gate Attendants!

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Hi there!

Thank you for expressing your interest in volunteering with Visit San Antonio - River Walk Operations! We're delighted to have you on board for one of the most magical nights of the year-the Ford Holiday River Parade on November 29th! This special evening marks the official start of the Christmas season, with the downtown tree lighting kicking off just before the parade, filling the River Walk with holiday cheer.

Similar to the Day of the Dead Parade, this event is ticketed, and we need enthusiastic volunteers to help make the night run smoothly. Your primary role will be taking tickets at various gates along the River Walk. If we have enough volunteers, some of you will also assist as ushers, guiding attendees to their seats and ensuring they find the correct section and row once they are through the gate and on river level.

In addition to event-day duties, we’re seeking volunteers to help with the crucial behind-the-scenes setup. On the Wednesday and Thursday before the event, we need dedicated individuals to assist with counting chairs and labeling every 1st, 5th, and last chair in each row. This preparation makes a big difference in providing attendees with a seamless holiday experience.

Throughout the evening, you’ll have the lovely support of zone captains and area coordinators, who will be patrolling sections and assisting ticket takers and attendees as needed. It takes many hands to create a memorable event, and we’d love for you to be a part of this festive experience!

Pre-Parade Day Shifts: Monday, 11/25 AM & Wednesday, 11/27 AM/PM & Friday, 11/29 AM
-Monday, 11/25: 10am-1pm (Chair Stack Counters)
-Wednesday, 11/27: 8:30am-11:30am & 1pm-4pm (Chair Labeling)
-Friday, 11/29: 10am-12pm (Restaurant Row Chair Labeling/Set Up)

Parade Day Shift: Friday, November 29th
3:30 PM - 8:00 PM (end times may vary depending on when the parade finishes in your area)

Parade Day Itinerary
A detailed itinerary will be sent closer to the parade date, but here’s a general overview:

• 3:30 PM: Volunteers Arrive at Central Library (600 Soledad St., San Antonio, TX 78205)
• 4:30 PM: Everyone in Place/River Walk Closed to the Public
• 5:00 PM: Gates Open/Start Taking Tickets/Ushers Begin Seating

Please note that some volunteer assignments may shift based on final attendance numbers, allowing us to make the best use of our holiday helpers!

Invite a Friend or Coworker!
Feel free to invite a friend, coworker, or family member to join in this wonderful volunteer experience! The more hands on deck, the more joyful and memorable the event will be for everyone.

Parking
We are pleased to provide parking for volunteers at the Central Library for both event day and preparation shifts. Central Library is located at 600 Soledad St., San Antonio, TX 78205.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, Makayla Robles, at makayla.robles@visitsanantonio.com or call me at (210) 244-2006.

Thank you for your commitment to making our events memorable and successful. We’re looking forward to celebrating the season with you!

Warm holiday regards,
Makayla Robles
Visit San Antonio - River Walk Operations