Volunteer jobs
What each job means
About forty volunteers run parade morning, and most of the jobs need no experience beyond a warm coat, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to wave. Click a job to see where it is, when to arrive, and what you will do, and then pick a first choice on the sign up form.
The 2026 parade is Saturday, November 7, 2026, and vehicle check in begins at 9:30 a.m.. Every volunteer checks in at the stage first and then reports to their station, and the volunteer meeting is held the day before.
Line up check inLine up entrance to the parking lot. Arrive 8:00 a.m. 4 with radios.
This is the most important job of the morning, because you check each entry in, tell them which lane to go to, and radio the lane helpers.
- Where
- Line up entrance to the parking lot
- Arrive
- 8:00 a.m.
- Team
- 4 with radios
- Radio
- Yes, at least one radio on this team
What you will do
- Scan or read the ticket number on each entry's QR code and mark them arrived on the check in screen.
- Add anyone who is not on the list, then send them to the back of their lane.
- Tell the driver which lane to go to using the parking lot layout.
- Radio the lane helpers so they know who is coming.
- Ask how many vehicles are in the group so the whole group stays together.
Parking lot lane helpersInside the line up lot, one team per lane. Arrive 8:30 a.m. 4 per lane, 9 lanes.
Keep every entry in the right lane, in a straight line, and packed tight so everyone fits.
- Where
- Inside the line up lot, one team per lane
- Arrive
- 8:30 a.m.
- Team
- 4 per lane, 9 lanes
- Radio
- Yes, at least one radio on this team
What you will do
- Lanes 1 and 2 and the lettered lanes must be in the exact order on the line up sheet.
- Lanes 3 to 6 fill as entries arrive, so double up motorcycles and small vehicles two or three across.
- Walk the lane answering questions and ask people to pick up any trash right away.
- Overflow goes down the hill to the lower lot, and the check in team will radio which lane each entry belongs in.
Drop off areaTennis court parking lot. Arrive 8:30 a.m. 3.
Keep the drop off lot moving and safe, because it is for drop offs only and never for parking.
- Where
- Tennis court parking lot
- Arrive
- 8:30 a.m.
- Team
- 3
- Radio
- No radio needed
What you will do
- Let buses and vans unload the color guard, active duty units, the band, and JROTC.
- Watch for children being dropped off for Scouts and youth groups, because an adult must collect them.
- Keep traffic flowing and keep the front school lots clear for dignitary and accessible parking.
Traffic directionThe stop light corners and the lot entrances. Arrive 8:30 a.m. 10, often the NCO Academy volunteers.
Hold a sign, point people to the right entrance, and keep the closed gates closed.
- Where
- The stop light corners and the lot entrances
- Arrive
- 8:30 a.m.
- Team
- 10, often the NCO Academy volunteers
- Radio
- No radio needed
What you will do
- Stand across from the drop off entrance and the line up entrance with direction signs.
- The middle entrance and the main gate stay closed, and no one drives in there except the radio station vehicle.
- Keep traffic flowing at the stop light corners so the road does not back up.
Dignitary and media parkingFront of the school. Arrive 8:30 a.m. 3.
Only people on the dignitary parking list park in front, and everyone else goes to the drop off lot or the line up.
- Where
- Front of the school
- Arrive
- 8:30 a.m.
- Team
- 3
- Radio
- Yes, at least one radio on this team
What you will do
- Keep a copy of the dignitary parking list and check names against it.
- Keep the main area open for the parade line up.
- Point media to their spot and let the stage know when a speaker has arrived.
Stage and ceremonyThe stage at the top of the lot. Arrive 8:30 a.m. 6.
Set the stage, greet the speakers, run the ceremony on time, and take photos and video.
- Where
- The stage at the top of the lot
- Arrive
- 8:30 a.m.
- Team
- 6
- Radio
- Yes, at least one radio on this team
What you will do
- Decorate the stage, set chairs and the podium, and put signs on dignitary cars.
- Put candy in the Parade Marshal, Fort Leonard Wood, Chamber, and Ambassador vehicles.
- Greet dignitaries, show them their seats, and make sure the Parade Marshal is comfortable.
- Stream the ceremony live, take photos and video, then clear the stage after the parade steps off.
Start the paradeLot exit after the ceremony. Arrive After the ceremony. 2 with radios.
Send the lanes out in order and keep the sirens away from the band and the marching units.
- Where
- Lot exit after the ceremony
- Arrive
- After the ceremony
- Team
- 2 with radios
- Radio
- Yes, at least one radio on this team
What you will do
- Release lane 1, then lane 2, then the lettered lanes, then lanes 3 to 6 in order.
- Hold the fire trucks until the middle of lane 4 has left, then mix them in between other entries.
- Keep political candidates a lane apart from active duty units in uniform.
Parade route and police supportAlong Route 66 into downtown. Arrive 10:00 a.m. at the police department. 15.
Work with the police department on traffic control along the route.
- Where
- Along Route 66 into downtown
- Arrive
- 10:00 a.m. at the police department
- Team
- 15
- Radio
- No radio needed
What you will do
- Meet the police department at 10:00 a.m., and they will transport you and explain your traffic control post.
- Keep spectators on the curb, and make sure candy lands at the feet of the crowd rather than being thrown from vehicles.
Parking lot clean upThe line up lot. Arrive As the parade leaves. 10.
The lot has to be spotless before we leave, and the bags, scoops, and rakes are in the event tote.
- Where
- The line up lot
- Arrive
- As the parade leaves
- Team
- 10
- Radio
- No radio needed
What you will do
- Pick up candy, wrappers, and anything left behind as lanes empty.
- Take down decorations and load the event tote, radios, and signs.
Poppy ProjectRoubidoux Bridge and the stage. Arrive The days before the parade. Chamber volunteers.
Hang the community made poppies along the bridge and on the stage, then take them down and store them.
- Where
- Roubidoux Bridge and the stage
- Arrive
- The days before the parade
- Team
- Chamber volunteers
- Radio
- No radio needed
What you will do
- Help set up and pack up the poppy display, which grows every year.
- Count and store the poppies so the total can be shared at the ceremony.
Rules every volunteer follows
- Park in the tennis court lot or at Westside Baptist Church, at the far back, and walk over, because the front lots are reserved for dignitaries and accessible parking.
- Check in at the stage before you go to your station, and please arrive on time, because a short line up is usually a volunteer who did not show.
- Wear the vest you are given so drivers can see you, and if it rains there are ponchos in the tote.
- Be kind and patient, because there are a lot of moving parts and everyone there loves a veteran.
- Send advance cancellations by email, and send same day cancellations by text message to the parade coordinator.
- Everyone helps clean the lot before leaving.
When you are ready, sign up to volunteerand pick the job you want on the form. The job you pick is yours, confirmed the moment you sign up.