Volunteers enjoy festival

 Without the more than 200 volunteers that do everything from provide security services to taking tickets, festivals like the Northern Lights Festival Boreal could not happen.

Why do they do it? They enjoy meeting those who take part in the festival.

“I have the best volunteer job,” said Carmen Thorpe, at the front entrance gate. “I get to meet all the lovely people."

That was echoed by Joe Proulx, another security volunteer. “I enjoy serving the community. It is exciting to meet new people.”

Jessica Vaillancourt, 15, Michela Castonguay, 15, and Stephanie Laramee, 15, are three friends who volunteered at the festival for the first time. They attend Bishop Alexander Carter School in Hanmer.

“It was very busy here Saturday. But I liked it. I would do it again,” said Vaillancourt.

“I enjoyed it. It was something to do,” said Castonguay.

“It is pretty cool here at Bell Park,” said Laramee.

William Marshall, a long time volunteer in the beer tent, said he met a lot of nice people while serving. “That is why I like it here. I come all the way from Owen Sound to volunteer here. The people here in Sudbury are very friendly compared to other folk festivals I volunteer at.”

Patricia Carpenter, a ticket volunteer at the back gate, said “this festival is a blast. It is well organized. I also volunteer at Summerfest.”