Skip to Content
CelticMKE Websites

Volunteer

Volunteer

Irish Fest Tickets

Main Content

Opportunities

Lady Serving Beer

Volunteer

The success of Milwaukee Irish Fest depends on more than 4,300 dedicated volunteers. We always welcome new volunteers who are hard-working, flexible and know how to have fun! All Milwaukee Irish Fest volunteers will receive an entrance pass for the day they volunteer, food coupons and more. Sign up here.

Document

If you are 18 or older and interested in volunteering at this year’s festival, fill out the volunteer sign up form and be sure to indicate which areas you are most interested in working. Keep scrolling to learn more about Youth Volunteer/Family Volunteer opportunities! This form is for first-time volunteers or seasoned veterans looking to change volunteer areas only! Questions? Send us an email at volunteers@irishfest.com.

Calendar

We especially need volunteers willing to work Friday and Saturday evenings from 8pm to midnight. Most shifts are four hours at a time and some may require standing for long periods, but all are an integral part of making Milwaukee Irish Fest a great experience.

Open AllClose All
Beer, Wine & Soda Servers/Cashiers

Serve beer, wine or soda to thirsty fest-goers. Our most popular position, volunteers who sign up to serve beer may end up on a waitlist. We often need volunteers willing to serve drinks during the late night shifts from 8 p.m. to midnight. Beer servers may also be asked to ring up beers poured on our cash registers using a POS system. The beer cashiers will be working on a cash register POS system, not a cash drawer, along with handling credit and debit card sales. Training will be provided. Of course, this position is only available to those 21 and older.

Cultural Village

If you are a knowledgeable lover of Irish culture, you may be able to volunteer in our Cultural Village area.

Children's Area

Supervise children and help hand out fun to-go craft boxes and assist with games that give wee ones an Irish culture, storytelling and musical experience. Background checks are required for all volunteers in this area.

Gate Ticket Takers
  • Able-bodied, assertive volunteers are needed to work the festival entrance gates. Another popular position, volunteers are mostly needed for late night shifts.
  • Sign up to work Sunday morning before Mass, 7:30-11 a.m. and your duties will be done by the time the gates open for the festival that day. If you are interested in taking tickets before Mass, please indicate this within the comments section of your application.
Greenwish Village

Greenwish Village is an environmentally themed family friendly area that is operated and managed by Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. Volunteers are assigned a booth or activity to supervise. Volunteer shifts are about 4 hours in length on Saturday and Sunday. Individuals and groups are welcome!

Grounds Crew
  • Set up takes place the week before Milwaukee Irish Fest begins. We need able-bodied volunteers who are willing to help set up during week day hours.
  • Take down happens all in one day, the Monday following Milwaukee Irish Fest. A large group of volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Paddy & Molly McFest

Volunteers ages 13 and up are needed during the festival and throughout the year to wear the Paddy and Molly costumes. Some height restrictions do apply.

Sales Opportunities
  • Sell CDs from our entertainment acts in one of the Music Mart locations on the festival grounds.
  • Sell Milwaukee Irish Fest merchandise in the Irish Fest booth located within the festival grounds marketplace.
Tipperary Tea Room & Paddy's Cafe

Prepare and serve desserts, Irish Coffee, coffee and tea, clean tables or cashier at one of these festival favorites.

Volunteer Check In

Meet, greet and check volunteers in to their assigned areas. May also work on handing out T-shirts during years they are provided to all volunteers.

Volunteer Sign-Up Form

Document

More than 4,300 enthusiastic and generous volunteers are the cornerstone of our festival. Whether you are young or young-at-heart, we can find an opportunity suited to your interests and abilities. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at volunteers@irishfest.com.

SIGN-UP

Youth Volunteers

Youth Volunteers

Info

Irish Fest youth volunteers are the future of the festival, and the organization encourages kids ages 13 and over to participate and immerse in Irish culture. We place volunteers in all different areas of the festival to work 3-4 hour shifts. Past jobs have included helping with the parade, helping with children's crafts and activities, and greeting our guests. Keep scrolling to view current opportunities.

Info

Children and families of all ages are welcome to volunteer with a trusted adult. Youth between the ages of 13-17 can volunter and do not need to be accompanied by a parent in order to participate. All volunteers will receive tickets for Thursday's Grand Hooley, a participant pass and food coupons. Anyone under the age of 18 who volunteers at the festival will need to have a permission slip. Fill out the permission slip below and mail it to the Irish Fest office at 1532 Wauwatosa Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53213 or email it to youth@irishfest.com.

Permission Slip

Info

Current Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Pirate Paddy and Front Gate

The Pirate Paddy Family Passport is a fun and easy activity for all ages. We staff locations across the festival grounds and our shifts range from 3-4 hours in shaded locations with seating. This job is perfect for families and anyone who wishes to volunteer. Your responsibilities will include stamping passports and leading simple crafts.

For those comfortable with standing for longer periods of time, we are also looking for friendly greeters at the front gate to hand out brochures to incoming festival patrons. It is important to note that these shifts are not typically in shaded areas; however, water is provided and breaks are always encouraged! 

Kids under the age of 13 may volunteer with their parent or guardian, ages 13-17 may volunteer on their own with a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian, and ages 18 and up can simply sign up. During your shift you will be provided with water and admission to the festival.

Paddy and Molly McFest Mascots 

Paddy and Molly McFest have been Irish Fest's beloved mascots for many years, and now you can be a part of the long-standing tradition! We are looking for individuals to take part in daily parades and meet & greets while in costume as Paddy and Molly. This job is ideal for outgoing, social youth volunteers that are comfortable standing for longer periods of time in warm weather. Shift times vary from 2-3 hours and include as many breaks as each volunteer requires for water and to cool down. 

Volunteers must be 15 and older with volunteers under the age of 18 providing a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian. Due to the sizing of the costumes, ideal participant height will be 5’5”- 6’2”.

Please contact youth@irishfest.com with any questions you may have.

 


Volunteer Portal

For current, already registered, volunteers, click the button below to sign into the official Milwaukee Irish Fest Volunteer Portal. If you have any questions regarding your account, please email us at volunteers@irishfest.com.

LOG IN

 

2022 Volunteer of the Year

Rory Modlinski Volunteer of the Year photo

Rory Modlinski - Volunteer of the Year

Like many of our volunteers, Rory’s involvement has been a family affair.  While he has not been involved since the very beginning of Irish Fest's inception, Rory has been involved for his entire life.  

During the year, you can find him volunteering his time here at the Center by running the Milwaukee Irish Fest online store and helping run audio/visual needs at meetings. He has been particularly instrumental this year in securing and maintaining the warehouse.  Rory’s efforts with the warehouse have helped to ensure the longevity of the organization.  We are able to work on projects on a year round basis and have a better understanding of what exists in the organization’s inventory. Leading up to the festival, you will see him all over the grounds working on A TON of special projects.

There had been several nominations for Rory from other volunteers in different areas of the festival and from varying peer groups.  While the nominations were unique to his experience with the nominee, several themes stuck out: Rory's selflessness and willingness to help with any project and his dedication to the organization.

We are so honored to know Rory and have him as part of our team. Congratulations, Rory!!!

 Sponsors 

Ireland Bluffs

Aer Lingus Milwaukee Irish Fest Sponsor

Arena Americas at Milwaukee Irish Fest

Associated Bank Milwaukee Irish Fest Sponsor

Audio Biz

Catholic Financial Life

CiderBoys Milwaukee Irish Fest Sponsor

Epic Creative Milwaukee Irish Fest Sponsor

Five Farms Irish Cream

Habush Habush Rottier

Jameson

Tourism Ireland - Milwaukee Irish Fest Sponsor

Lakefront Brewery

Miller Lite

Northwoods Web Solutions

Parkview-Senior Living Community Center

Vizzy Hard Seltzer

  • Artist
  • Paddy
  • Celtic Canine & Kid
  • Artist with Violin
  • Crowd
  • Irish Fest Fans
  • Young Irish Dancers
  • Young Kid and Dad
  • Wisconsin Irish
  • Young Kids Dancing

This site is powered by the Northwoods Titan Content Management System.