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2026 Parade Volunteer Application

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Deadline: May 02, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
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2026 Carnaval San Francisco Parade
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Date: May 24, 2026 9:30 am - May 24, 2026 2:00 pm (PST)
place
24th And Bryant, San Francisco, California 94110, United States

About the event

Carnaval San Francisco brings 500,000 people to our annual celebration, making it the largest multicultural festival in the West Coast. Our mission is to educate people on the Latino, Caribbean and African Diasporic traditions of the Mission District and the San Francisco Bay Area. Our Grand Parade boasts a 60–contingent lineup, with over 5,500 artists representing the cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more to participate, televised by CBS. The Grand Parade covers 20 blocks in San Francisco’s historic Latino Cultural District in the Mission.
Cultura Y Arte Nativa de las Americas
Cultura Y Arte Nativa de las Americas
Contact Organizer
Cultura Y Arte Nativa de las Americas
Cultura Y Arte Nativa de las Americas
Contact Organizer

About the application

Event Dates: Sunday, May 24, 2026 Event Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Volunteer Shifts: Vary depending on volunteer position Volunteer Perks * Free lunch provided to all volunteers * Carnaval SF volunteer t-shirt (for those who signed up before the orientation) Mandatory Volunteer Orientation All volunteers must attend one of the following orientation options: * In-Person Orientation: Saturday, May 16 | 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM * Online Orientation: Wednesday, May 20 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM We strongly encourage attending the in-person orientation for the best experience and walk-through. If you cannot attend in person, you must attend the online option. In the application, you’ll be asked to select your preferred orientation.

Terms & Conditions

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS SECTION AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS! Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas (CANA) is a non-profit organization located in San Francisco, CA and produces the street fair and celebration known as Carnaval (hereinafter collectively “Carnaval San Francisco”). It is the policy of Carnaval San Francisco to provide equal opportunities to individuals who desire to volunteer at Carnaval San Francisco without regard to the volunteer individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference or orientation, age, or disability. The undersigned is a volunteer participant in Carnaval San Francisco (Volunteer). I desire to work with Carnaval San Francisco in 2026 on a volunteer basis and engage in the activities related to being a volunteer (the "Activities"). I understand that the activities I undertake as a Volunteer may include standing for periods of time, sitting, walking, bending, climbing, lifting, and interacting with vendors, spectators, artists and Comparsas (Parade Contingents) depending on positions during events. In consideration of my desire to serve as a Volunteer with Carnaval San Francisco in 2026, I hereby assume all responsibility for any and all risk of bodily injury and/or property damage that I may sustain while participating in any activity relating to Carnaval San Francisco in 2026. This Release and Waiver of Liability is executed by me in favor of Carnaval San Francisco, its Board of Directors, staff, producers, coordinators, and agents. I hereby freely, voluntarily, and without duress execute this Release as follows: 1. Release and Waiver: I hereby release and forever discharge and hold harmless Carnaval San Francisco and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, by law which arise or may hereafter arise from Volunteer’s Activities with Carnaval San Francisco in 2026. I understand that this Release discharges Carnaval San Francisco and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any liability or claim that I may have against Carnaval San Francisco with respect to any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from my Activities at Carnaval San Francisco in 2026, whether caused by the negligence of Carnaval San Francisco or its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers, or Carnaval San Francisco committees, producers, agents or otherwise. I also understand that Carnaval San Francisco does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance to me, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance in the event of injury or illness. 2. Medical Treatment: I hereby release and forever discharge Carnaval San Francisco, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first aid, treatment, or service rendered to me in connection with my volunteer activities with Carnaval San Francisco in 2026. 3. Assumption of the Risk: I understand that the activities at Carnaval San Francisco include work that may involve long periods of standing and/or walking, including, but not limited to, loading and unloading, building/breaking down structures, lifting, bending, handling heavy loads and/or equipment and working with vendors, spectators, artists and Comparsas (Parade Artist Contingents). I hereby expressly and specifically assume the risk of injury or harm inherent in or arising from the Activities and release Carnaval San Francisco, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers for ALL liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the described activities. 4. Insurance: I understand that, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by Carnaval San Francisco, Carnaval San Francisco does not carry or maintain health, medical, workers compensation, disability insurance coverage for any volunteer. No employment relationship is created by my volunteering for Carnaval San Francisco. I understand that Carnaval San Francisco expects and encourages me to obtain my own medical or health insurance coverage. 5. Photographic Release: Volunteer does hereby grant and convey unto Carnaval San Francisco all right, title, and interest in any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings made by Carnaval San Francisco during the Volunteer’s activities or participation with Carnaval San Francisco, including, but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits derived from such photographs or recordings. 6. Other: Volunteer expressly agrees that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the City and County of San Francisco and the State of California and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the City and County of San Francisco and the State of California. Volunteer agrees that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release which shall continue to be enforceable. I acknowledge that I am strictly a volunteer, not an employee with Carnaval San Francisco. There is no obligation for the Carnaval San Francisco to pay for my volunteer services. I agree to respect and follow all the rules, requirements, and directions given by Carnaval San Francisco the entire time I am volunteering. I have no known mental or physical condition that would impair my capability for full participation as intended or expected of me. If I develop a mental or physical condition which would impair my capability to participate in the activities of Carnaval San Francisco in 2026 I agree to promptly provide Carnaval San Francisco with notice of that circumstance. I, the undersigned VOLUNTEER, have carefully read the foregoing release and indemnification provisions and understand the contents thereof and sign this release as my own, free act.

Shifts

Title Location Time Slots available Hours
[Parade] Telecast Barricade & Toilet Set Up Team May 24, 2026 3:00 am - 7:00 am 4 4
message Assist with early morning setup of the CBS Telecast Area at 24th & Harrison. Volunteers will help place barricades and establish the event perimeter. Maps and configuration plans will be provided.
[Parade] Parade Staging Block Captains May 24, 2026 6:00 am - 1:00 pm 12 7
message The Parade Staging Block Captains support parade setup by checking in comparsas (parade groups), setting cones and lineup markers, and helping ensure each group is placed correctly in the staging area. You'll receive a packet with lineup details and key contact info.
[Parade] Parade Crowd Control - 24th Street and Bryant May 24, 2026 7:00 am - 2:00 pm 12 7
message Placed at 24th & Bryant where comparsas first enter, this team ensures crowd safety and keeps spectators from entering the parade route. Volunteers will ensure that the area is clear and reserved for the parade
[Parade] Telecast Communication Support May 24, 2026 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 4 7
message In charge of communication between Carnaval SF parade team and CBS team about the comparsa order and any changes.
[Parade] Telecast Interview Team May 24, 2026 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 4 7
message This team will be in charge of making sure our chosen 10-14 comparsas to be interviewed are ready at 24th Street & Harrison Street. They will be coordinating with the POC of each comparsa to be interviewed.
[Parade] Pacers along Parade Route May 24, 2026 8:30 am - 3:00 pm 50 7
message Stationed along the Parade Route, Pacers use flags to control comparsa speed and spacing. Pacers will be separated into groups along the route.
[Parade] Grandstand & Judges Support Team May 24, 2026 9:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 5
message Support the judges and audience experience in the Grandstand Area. This team helps make sure the judging process runs smoothly while also welcoming parade-goers to this VIP area.
[Parade] Telecast Contingent Pace Control May 24, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 4 6
message Stationed at the CBS Telecast Zone, this team helps manage the pace of parade contingents as they pass in front of the broadcast cameras. Volunteers use signals (flags) and direction to keep comparsas moving smoothly for television timing.
[Parade] Destaging Area Team May 24, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 15 6
message Help manage the parade exit at 15th Street between Folsom & Harrison. Volunteers will direct floats and comparsas as they leave the route, ensuring a safe and organized flow into designated areas.
[Parade] Grandstand Seating Monitor May 24, 2026 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 4 4
message Stationed at the bleachers in the Grandstand Area, this team checks tickets, greets guests, and helps attendees find their assigned seats.
[Parade] Parade Crowd Control - 24th and Mission May 24, 2026 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 6 4
message Placed at 24th & Mission where comparsas make the big turn, this team ensures crowd safety and keeps spectators from entering the parade route. Volunteers will help create a clear path so comparsas and floats can safely navigate the corner.

Questions on the application

Volunteer information

  • Name
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Age
  • Address
  • Emergency contacts
  • T-shirt size

Additional information

  • Language(s) Spoken
  • Volunteer Orientation Date
  • Do you have any limitations our Volunteer Team should be aware of when assigning volunteer roles (e.g., walking, standing, lifting)?
  • If you selected "Yes," please briefly describe those tasks that you might be unable to perform comfortably.
  • Are you applying to volunteer as part of an Employee Resource Group (ERG) or affinity group of a local business, organization or corporation?
  • If you selected "Yes," please provide the name of the employer with whom you are volunteering so that we may assign you to a shift with your team.
2026 Parade Volunteer Application
2026 Parade Volunteer Application
2026 Carnaval San Francisco Parade
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