GILROY
– Armed in bright yellow vests and giant purple
”
Ask Me
”
buttons, my father and I ventured out to the park side of the
festival Saturday morning to fulfill our duty as Host Corps
volunteers. For four and a half hours we roamed around the festival
welcoming guests, directing people to the hot spots and answering
questions.
GILROY – Armed in bright yellow vests and giant purple “Ask Me” buttons, my father and I ventured out to the park side of the festival Saturday morning to fulfill our duty as Host Corps volunteers. For four and a half hours we roamed around the festival welcoming guests, directing people to the hot spots and answering questions.
Although it was my first year in this position, I was determined to answer each and every question. My dad and I had maps of the park, programs, entertainment schedules and decades of festival experience between the two of us. Host Corps coordinators Wendy Filice-Strametz and Marta Dinsmore had trained us for the job a few weeks earlier and there were 24 other Host Corps volunteers to offer back-up. Despite my confidence one of the very first questions completely stumped me.
“Why is my wife so mean to me?” a man shouted in my direction as he kept walking. I stood there dumbfounded unable to think of a single witty come-back. Luckily my dad stepped in and joked with the guy that everything is always the husband’s fault. He suggested some more garlic and dancing might alleviate any tension between them.
I was a little disappointed with my response but every volunteer needs a little warm up. After that I was rattling off answers as quickly as the Host Corps veterans.
“The nearest bathrooms are located directly behind the cook-off stage. There are two different combo plates being sold at Gourmet Alley. Don’t miss Shaboom’s performance in the amphitheater at 2:30.”
One man asked my dad “Where’s the sand box, this cat’s gotta go.” We directed him to the bathrooms and he was on his way.
Most people asked about the port-o-potties, the garlic ice cream and other Garlic Festival staples, but the most frequently asked question was “What should I ask you?”. They just can’t pass by when the big purple button urges them to “Ask Me”.
In order to cut down on the bizarre questions, Host Corps coordinators altered the uniform slightly for this year. They replaced the “Ask Me” on the back of the vest with “Garlic Festival Host Corps” and do not require volunteers to wear the button.
At the end of our shift my dad and I filled out a pink card so our non-profit organization would get credit for our hours. Then we headed for hospitality. Once we collapsed in the shade we knocked our Pepsi cups together in celebration and bit into our pepper steak sandwiches. It was a job well done and I can’t wait to get back out there next year.
