”Sakura Days Japan Fair” is held during the beautiful cherry blossom season to introduce Japanese culture, traditional performing arts, and cuisine to the people of Canada. We are looking for volunteer staff to help make this event a success. Anyone interested in event operations and Japanese culture—regardless of nationality, age, or gender—is welcome to apply.

Event Overview

Event Name	Sakura Days Japan Fair
Dates	[Day 1] Saturday, April 12, 2025 [Day 2] Sunday, April 13, 2025
Venue	VanDusen Botanical Garden

Main Volunteer Tasks

Food Area Support

• Assisting vendors with loading in/out, managing lineups, etc.
• May include lifting moderately heavy items.

Vendor Exhibit Area Support

• Assisting exhibitors with loading in/out, managing lineups, etc.
• May include lifting moderately heavy items.

Green Patrol (Garbage/Recycling/Wastewater Support)

• Guiding visitors and exhibitors on waste sorting and recycling
• May include lifting moderately heavy items.

Parking/Navigation Assistance

• Providing directions and parking guidance for visitors

Stage/Performance Area Support

• Assisting performers and stage managers
• May include lifting moderately heavy items.

Sake Tasting Support

• Selling tickets, managing lineups, cleaning up, etc.
• Must be 19 years or older

Tea Ceremony Support

• Selling tickets, managing lineups, cleaning up, etc.

Yukata Dressing Support

• Working at the Yukata Dressing Tent (check-in/out, managing lineups, handing out items, etc.)

Emcee

• Announcing event information and managing stage programs
• Must be fluent in both English and Japanese

Hospitality/Information

• Greeting visitors, providing event details, and offering directional assistance

Volunteer Administration

• Checking in volunteers, assisting with volunteer hospitality, and performing other administrative tasks

Set Up/Tear Down

• Helping with setting up and taking down tents, equipment, etc.
• May include lifting moderately heavy items.

Notes

• The above list is for indicating which tasks you’d like to support. Final assignments will be decided by the organizers based on event-day operations, as well as each volunteer’s skills and physical capacity.
• Many of these tasks involve outdoor activities or moving equipment, so please choose only those you can reasonably handle.
• Sake Tasting volunteers must be 19 years or older in accordance with legal requirements.
• Emcee volunteers must be able to conduct smooth announcements in both English and Japanese.

Dates & Times

Event Days	[Day 1] Saturday, April 12, 2025 [Day 2] Sunday, April 13, 2025
Planned Shift Times *subject to change	Morning Shift: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Afternoon Shift: 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM Full-Day Shift: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (with breaks) *Exact start/end times may vary based on your assigned position and scheduling needs

Participation Requirements

Age

16 years or older (those under 18 require parental/guardian consent)

Work Time

Must be able to work at least one 6-hour shift on one of the following dates

• Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Venue Setup)
• Saturday, April 12, 2025
• Sunday, April 13, 2025

Language Skill

Must have the ability to communicate in English, as all volunteer meetings, communications, and on-site activities will be conducted in English.

Orientation for New Volunteers

Date	Sunday, April 6, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location	VanDusen Botanical Garden
Anyone volunteering at Sakura Days Japan Fair for the first time is required to attend. Returning volunteers are welcome but not required to attend.

Shifts & Benefits

• Shift Length: 6 hours per day (e.g., 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• Exact hours will be confirmed at a later date.
• Lunch and light snacks provided (lunch is only available to volunteers who work 6 or more hours in a single shift).
• A valuable opportunity to experience Japanese culture and performing arts up close while contributing to event operations.
• Volunteer certificate available upon request.

Application Deadline