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Start signing up this week for Tall Ships
Recruitment fairs will give volunteers a chance to get to help
March 18, 2008
CONTACT: Matthew Erlich, 253-284-0015
media@tallshipstacoma.com
www.tallshipstacoma.com
TACOMA – A series of recruitment fairs will take place in coming weeks to register volunteers for Tall Ships Tacoma® 2008. As many as 3,000 people are sought to help with jobs ranging from working directly with vessels to assisting in security and hospitality.
“This is a chance to get an up-close look at the vessels that are coming and meet people from around the world,” said Matthew Erlich, event spokesman. “It will be an exciting time for the whole community.”
Tall Ships Tacoma® 2008 will be held July 3-7 along the Thea Foss Waterway. A total of 32 historic sailing vessels -- including the USCG Eagle, HMS Bounty, the Niña and The Lady Washington – have signed up for the event.
Recruitment fairs will each last about one hour, are free, and will be held at the Washington State History Museum auditorium, 1911 Pacific Ave., on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday March 19 at 3 p.m.
- Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday April 3 at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday April 17 at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday April 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Each fair will provide an overview of the volunteer effort and provide specific information about the variety of jobs available. Volunteers must be at least age 16 and commit to a minimum of two, 5-hour shifts during the festival. About 1,000 volunteers have already signed up for the event, Erlich said.
There are more than 200 different types of jobs to be filled, including those in the areas of marine operations, hospitality, medical and security. If a prospective volunteer has a boat, there are opportunities to help guide the vessels on their excursions or during the Parade of Sail.
All volunteers will be issued a shirt, baseball cap, water bottle, handbook and fanny pack.
People don’t have to wait for the fairs to volunteer, Erlich added. Simply go online to www.tallshipstacoma.com and click on “volunteer now.”
The Tall Ships organization also is having speakers meet with community groups to talk about the event. Upcoming speaking engagements include with the West End Neighborhood Council, Summit Kiwanis and Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce. To schedule a Tall Ships speaker for a community group, contact the Tall Ships office at 253.272.5650.
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State Farm presents Tall Ships
® Tacoma 2008 will be held July 3-7, 2008. More than 30 historic sailing vessels will attend the event along the Thea Foss Waterway. For more information, visit www.tallshipstacoma.com.
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