Volunteer opportunities abound for all ages at First Night Raleigh

The holiday season really ramps up for Sara Roberts after Christmas. Roberts is the volunteer coordinator for First Night, the massive New Year's Eve event in downtown Raleigh with something for all ages.

Roberts, a mom of three teenagers, lives in Granville County. She also works as a visual arts instructor at Wake Forest High School, sells her art professionally under Sara Roberts Studio and has volunteered many times at First Night and Artplosure, Raleigh's spring arts festival. I checked in with Roberts to learn more about what's planned for this year's First Night, who can volunteer and how. Here's a Q&A.

Go Ask Mom: First Night is a longtime tradition in Raleigh. What are you especially excited about for families this year?

Sara Roberts: I personally am excited for people to experience Barefoot Movement and The Honey Dewdrops. Both bands are amazing and remind me of the mountains with their peppy bluegrass sounds. Barefoot Movement is from Granville County (woot)! I am also really excited about the neon globe created by our local neon artists from Glas and the new light up sculptures that will be found in Moore Square. Families with younger kiddos will really enjoy all of the children's booths located NC Museum of History and NC Museum of Natural Sciences. They are inside and all of the activities are included in the cost of the button for entry.

GAM: It really is a family-friendly event.

SR: Many families have made First Night a yearly tradition. First Night operates out of several venues throughout downtown. There are rides, processions, displays and concerts that are outside, but everything else is inside various venues. Even if it is cold or rainy, people can pop into venues to watch a comedy show, listen to a glass harp being played, make children's crafts, participate in ballroom dancing, or listen to poetry. We have worked hard to provide a wide range of activities that will appeal to all age ranges and tastes.

GAM: You are in charge of volunteers. How many does it take to make the event happen and what kinds of jobs do they do? Are there perks?

SR: Volunteers make this event happen. Without them, the event simply could not take place. We use approximately 300 volunteers over the course of the event. We have office volunteers, zone managers, site managers, button checkers, activity monitors and children's booth helpers. There are also specific crews that help set up and take down various venues. There are perks for volunteering. All volunteers receive free entry to the events that can be used after their shifts. That being said, many people volunteer for the whole night, so other perks include serving the community, being a part of our Artsplosure Community, and earning community service hours.

GAM: Lots of teenagers need volunteer hours. Are there jobs for them? Do parents need to volunteer with them?

SR: Teens are essential to supporting our children's activities. Teens are needed to volunteer starting at 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the day of the event. Anyone 15 or older can work the children's booths without a parent. Younger teens can sign up with a parent. Teens 15 to 17 years old can work a children's booth on their own or sign up with a parent to be a button checker at any of our indoor venues. Teens can also bring in their volunteer hour logs and get them signed off for this event.

GAM: How can people sign up to volunteer?

SR: People can volunteer by signing up online.

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