The Heart of Open Streets
Volunteers are the heartbeat of Open Streets Tempe. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and community spirit transform our streets into vibrant spaces where neighbors connect, friendships form, and memories are made.
By volunteering, you're not just helping at an event—you're building a more sustainable, connected, and joyful community. You're part of a movement that shows how our streets can be reimagined as places for people, not just cars.
Join us in making Open Streets Tempe a success!
Why Volunteer?
- Be part of Tempe's Open Streets celebration
- Meet neighbors and make new friends
- Get a free event t-shirt
- Help create a more sustainable and connected community
- Volunteer half the day, enjoy the event the other half!
Volunteer Opportunities
Set-Up
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
As a Set-Up Volunteer, you'll play a vital role in transforming Tempe's streets into a vibrant, car-free community space. Your hands-on energy and teamwork will help bring the event to life before the first attendee arrives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Help position traffic barricades, cones, and directional signage along the route to ensure safety and clear wayfinding.
- Assist vendors, partners, and activations teams with arranging tables, tents, and equipment in designated areas.
- Help set up water stations, bike valet areas, and other attendee resources.
- Work closely with event staff to execute the site layout plan efficiently and on schedule.
- Start the day with a positive attitude — your work sets the tone for the entire experience!
Tear-Down
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
As a Tear-Down Volunteer, you'll help wrap up the event by restoring the streets and leaving the community better than we found it. This role is perfect for reliable volunteers who take pride in a job well done from start to finish.
Key Responsibilities:
- Remove barricades, cones, signage, and temporary infrastructure in coordination with event staff.
- Assist vendors, partners, and activations teams with packing up equipment, tables, and tents.
- Help collect and consolidate materials from water stations, bike valet areas, and other attendee resources.
- Ensure the route and activity areas are cleared of trash and recyclables, leaving the space clean.
- Take direction from organizers to ensure all materials are properly stored or returned.
Bike Valet
Morning: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM · Afternoon: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
As a Bike Valet, you'll provide a secure and efficient bike parking service for attendees, ensuring their bikes are safe while they enjoy the event. Your attention to detail will help create a stress-free experience for participants.
Key Responsibilities:
- Welcome cyclists warmly and guide them through the valet process.
- Assign tickets to bikes and park them securely in the designated area.
- Quickly and efficiently return bikes to participants upon request.
- Keep the bike parking area organized and ensure its security.
- Share information about the benefits of biking and encourage participants to continue using bikes for daily transportation.
Bike Parade Marshal
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
As a Bike Parade Marshal, you'll ride alongside participants during the Open Streets Tempe Bike Parade, keeping the energy high and ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. This is a great role for confident cyclists who love engaging with people on the go.
Marshals should be comfortable riding at a relaxed, variable pace and are encouraged to carry a basic bike repair kit (patch kit, pump, tire levers).
Key Responsibilities:
- Ride the parade route alongside participants, maintaining awareness of the group's pace and spacing.
- Keep a watchful eye at key crossing points, helping participants navigate safely through the route.
- Answer questions, offer encouragement, and help riders of all ages and abilities feel confident on the route.
- Assist participants with minor issues such as flat tires or basic bike adjustments to keep the ride moving smoothly.
- Report any safety concerns, incidents, or bottlenecks to event organizers or Route Coordinators promptly.
What to Expect
- Training and orientation before the event
- Clear instructions and support during your shift
- Free event t-shirt and refreshments
- A fun, rewarding experience giving back to your community
Frequently Asked Questions
Shift times vary by role, ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours. Check each volunteer position for its specific schedule. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your shift for check-in and a brief orientation.
After your shift, you're free to enjoy the event!
To ensure everyone's safety and the smooth operation of the event, volunteers need to be at least 14 years of age to participate.
For youth volunteer groups (ages 14-17), we require adult supervision with a ratio of one adult for every 15 young volunteers.
For safety reasons, we cannot allow pets during volunteer shifts.
Parents who are volunteering may bring children under 14 with them, provided the children stay under their direct supervision throughout the shift.
We love when volunteers bring friends! If you'd like to volunteer with friends, we encourage it - just let us know by emailing volunteer@openstreetstempe.org beforehand so we can prepare enough t-shirts and make sure you're assigned to the same area.
The best way to stay informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities is to join our Volunteer Mailing List. Sign up for our newsletter here to receive updates about future events and volunteer opportunities.
No special skills are required! We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and abilities. We'll provide all necessary training and support to help you succeed in your role. The most important qualities are enthusiasm, reliability, and a desire to help create a great community event.
We recommend bringing:
- Water bottle (we'll have refill stations)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
We'll provide your volunteer t-shirt, any necessary equipment, and light refreshments during your shift.
Yes! We welcome both individual volunteers and groups. When you sign up, you can indicate if you're part of a group, and we'll do our best to assign you to the same area. It's a great way to make the experience even more fun while serving your community together.
Open Streets Tempe is a rain or shine event! We'll provide weather-appropriate gear if needed, and we'll adjust activities as necessary to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. In case of severe weather, we'll communicate any changes or cancellations directly to all volunteers.
Yes, we'll provide information about designated volunteer parking areas in your confirmation email. We encourage volunteers to bike, walk, or use public transit if possible, as it aligns with our event's mission of promoting sustainable transportation. We'll also have secure bike parking available.
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your shift, please email us at volunteer@openstreetstempe.org as soon as possible so we can find a replacement. We appreciate at least 48 hours notice when possible.