***UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 Emergency, the format of the festival will include BOTH live events and virtual components. We need volunteers, even those who can't travel to us, so please consider joining the 2022 Festival Volunteers today!***

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the 2022 International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards. This event is quickly becoming a key part of programming at the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum and volunteers play the most important role in making this event a success for Poe House and for the community.

This year's festival will be held at The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2022. Festival hours are from 11AM to 4PM each day, with two hours before and one hour after each day for setup and tear-down. Many festival events will be held via Zoom Conference. Pending the emergency health situation, there will be a kickoff reception, Friday, October 7, at The Lord Baltimore Hotel, from 6 to 8 PM (free to volunteers.) The official party, The Black Cat Ball at Westminster Hall, will be held Saturday, October 8, from 7 to 10PM (ticketed event).

Pre-festival volunteer roles include: packet assembly, building, painting/marking, tour preparation and general assistance.

Festival volunteer roles include: information desk, house museum docents, vendor assistance, performer assistance, tour guides, festival clean-up, line and ticket check-in. PLEASE NOTE: You will be REQUIRED to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19, there are no exceptions.

Virtual volunteer roles include: trivia question creation, forum and webinar chat monitors, technical assistance, social media assistance.

The festival itself is an event FREE to the public, and the program is outdoors. There are additional parties and tours that require tickets; volunteers are welcome to purchase tickets (while supplies last), and may also be entitled to discounts depending on their level of participation:

Volunteers who attend all required meet-ups are entitled to 50% discount on tour tickets (regular price $49) and/or Black Cat Ball tickets (regular price $125) and a festival t-shirt.

Volunteers who attend all required meet-ups and volunteer 1 day of the festival (Saturday or Sunday, three-hour shift) are entitled to 75% discount on tour and Black Cat Ball tickets, and a festival t-shirt (Limit 1)

Volunteers who attend all required meet-ups and volunteer both days of the festival (Saturday and Sunday, three-hour shifts each day) are entitled to 100% discount on tour and Black Cat Ball tickets, plus a festival t-shirt. (Limit 1)