Volunteer Registration

Hot Pepper Festival Volunteer Opportunities

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Deadline: Oct 25, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
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Date: Oct 31, 2026 9:00 am - Oct 31, 2026 4:00 pm (CDT)

About the event

Join us for the hottest little festival in Texas! This festival is known to bring over 7,500 visitors to Palestine, where festival visitors will enjoy Arts & Crafts Vendors, Unique Food Vendors, Kid's Zone, Beer Gardens, Car, Truck and Bike Show, and Live Music throughout the day. The Annual Parade kicks things off at 10 AM with the festival gates opening at 9 AM. Held in Historic Downtown Palestine, the Annual Hot Pepper Festival will be a fun-filled day .
Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce
Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce

About the application

We need your help to make it a success. Please sign up for as many slots as you are able to commit to. A MANDATORY ORIENTATION MEETING WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH , AT 5:00PM AT THE CHAMBER (401 W. Main St.). SIGN UP BEFORE October 17th, 2026, TO GET YOUR FREE VOLUNTEER SHIRT. Sign up is open for anybody age 13 yrs and up. 18 yrs and younger will need to submit a parent signed volunteer permission form. Please review the description of the shift you choose to ensure you are able to do the required task(s). All volunteers will check in at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce (401 W. Main St.), the central location for sign in/ out, hydration, etc. THANK YOU for your commitment to this event and supporting this community.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting this application, I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating as a volunteer for activities organized by the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. I understand that participation may involve physical activity and other risks, including but not limited to personal injury, illness, property damage, or other loss. I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce, its officers, directors, employees, members, sponsors, and affiliates from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action that may arise from or relate to my participation as a volunteer, including any injury, illness, or property damage that may occur, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. I understand that I am not an employee of the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and am not covered by any insurance or workers’ compensation policy of the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. I agree that I am volunteering my services without expectation of compensation and assume full responsibility for my participation. I have read and fully understand this waiver and release, and I sign it freely and voluntarily by submitting this application.

Shifts

Title Location Time Slots available Hours
Beer Tent Farmer's Market Oct 30, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm 0 4
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You will be serving alcoholic beverages. You must be age 21 years and up as well as provide documentation of a valid Texas TABC training certificate.\r\n\r\nTraining can be completed at \r\nhttps://aaafoodhandler.com/texas/tabc-alcohol-server-training/. \r\n\r\nOther training options can be found here: https://www.tabc.texas.gov/services/tabc-certification/tabc-certification-schools/
Cornhole Tournament Referee Farmer's Market Oct 30, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm 1 4
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You will be assisting the tournament director to ensure a smooth and positive event. Knowledge of the official cornhole rules is a must.
Vendor Check In Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 30, 2026 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm 1 3
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You must be comfortable driving a side-by-side as well as have good knowledge of downtown street names and locations. Good customer service skills and ability to communicate well in any situation.
Key to the Treats Key Chain Distribution Farmer's Market Oct 30, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 0 3
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You will be handing out key chains to visitors at the Hot Pepper Festival Pop Off event.
Tear Down Farmer's Market Oct 30, 2026 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm 1 2
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You will assist the Chamber staff with taking down tables, tents, signs, etc., as well as cleaning up to ensure the Farmer's Market area will be presentable to the public.
Vendor Traffic Guide Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 5:30 am - 9:00 am 3 4
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You will be guiding vendors to their spots. Good communication skills are needed. Wear good walking shoes.
Barricade Support Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 7:00 am - 9:00 am 3 2
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You will be stationed at different barricade locations and be expected to move them back and forth to allow vendors to enter and exit the festival area safely.
Kids Zone Attendant Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 0 4
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You will be responsible for monitoring the Kids Zone area, communicating with vendors in the area, as well as festival visitors, to ensure safety.
Parade Walker Courthouse Oct 31, 2026 9:30 am - 11:00 am 0 2
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You will be walking in the parade, handing out swag bags along the way. Make sure you wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothing in the Hot Pepper Festival spirit.
Emcee for Performance Stage Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 1 4
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The Stage Emcee will serve as the host and voice of the festival performance stage, creating a welcoming and engaging experience for audiences while keeping the program running smoothly.rnrnKey Duties:rnrn- Welcome the audience and introduce each performing group or act.rn- Provide clear, engaging transitions between performances.rn- Maintain positive energy and audience engagement throughout the program.rn- Regularly acknowledge and thank the Stage Sponsor throughout the event, incorporating sponsor recognition naturally into introductions, transitions, and other appropriate moments.rn- Help maintain the overall flow, timing, and professional presentation of the stage program.
Kids Zone Attendant Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 3 3
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You will be responsible for monitoring the Kids Zone area, communicating with vendors in the area, as well as festival visitors, to ensure safety.
Toyota Key Promotion Event Palestine Toyota/ 2728 TX - 256 Loop Oct 31, 2026 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 2 4
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You will be "registering" people for a drawing.
Festival Set-Up/ Prep Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 30, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 4 3
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You will help set up tables, tents, and any other items needed to be prepared.
Festival Set-Up Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 6:00 am - 9:00 am 5 3
Vendor Check-In Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 5:00 am - 9:00 am 2 4
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This role is ONLY FOR JUNIOR AMBASSADORS. You must have good knowledge of downtown street names and locations. Good customer service skills and ability to communicate well in any situation.
Chamber Central Station - 1st shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1 4
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You will be manning the "Central Station" to assist volunteers and vendors as well as the Chamber staff with any needs that arise that day to ensure the success of the festival. This involves multitasking, such as answering phones, monitoring volunteer sing in/ out, directing volunteers and vendors to locations, connecting people with Chamber staff, etc.
Beer Garden - 1st shift Chamber/401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 6 3
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You will be serving alcoholic beverages. You must be age 21 years and up as well as provide documentation of a valid Texas TABC training certificate.rnrnTraining can be completed at rnhttps://aaafoodhandler.com/texas/tabc-alcohol-server-training/. rnrnOther training options can be found here: https://www.tabc.texas.gov/services/tabc-certification/tabc-certification-schools/
Popcorn - 1st shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 9:00 am - 12:30 pm 0 4
General Volunteer - 1st Shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 11:00 am - 1:30 pm 10 3
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You will be supporting the Chamber team as needed for different roles.
Stage Support- 1st shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 11:00 am - 1:30 pm 3 3
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You will be supporting the performers at the stage, such as providing hydration, communication with the Chamber staff, etc., to ensure a positive experience for them.
Chamber Central Station - 2nd shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm 2 4
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You will be manning the "Central Station" to assist volunteers and vendors as well as the Chamber staff with any needs that arise that day to ensure the success of the festival. This involves multitasking, such as answering phones, monitoring volunteer sing in/ out, directing volunteers and vendors to locations, connecting people with Chamber staff, etc.
Popcorn - 2nd shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm 0 4
Beer Garden - 2nd shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm 3 3
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You will be serving alcoholic beverages. You must be age 21 years and up as well as provide documentation of a valid Texas TABC training certificate.\r\n\r\nTraining can be completed at \r\nhttps://aaafoodhandler.com/texas/tabc-alcohol-server-training/. \r\n\r\nOther training options can be found here: https://www.tabc.texas.gov/services/tabc-certification/tabc-certification-schools/
General Volunteer - 2nd shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm 14 3
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You will be supporting the Chamber team as needed for different roles.
Stage Support - 2nd shift Chamber/ 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm 3 3
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You will be supporting the performers at the stage, such as providing hydration, communication with the Chamber staff, etc., to ensure a positive experience for them.
Tear Down Chamber 401 W Main St. Oct 31, 2026 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm 4 3
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You will assist the Chamber staff with taking down tables, tents, signs, etc., as well as cleaning up to ensure the streets will be presentable to the public. The parade float will also be disassembled.

Questions on the application

Volunteer information

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

Additional information

  • Are you 18yrs old or YOUNGER?
  • Are you signing up to volunteer in one of the BEER TENTS? You MUST submit your valid Texas TABC certificate.
  • You must submit your valid Texas TABC certificate. Upload it here.
  • YOU MUST PRINT THE Volunteer Permission Form and UPLOAD it or you will not be able to volunteer.