Celebrating 10 years of Laughter for the health of it, Gilda’s LaughFest is in need of volunteers to support this year’s festival set for March 5-15. There are many ways volunteers can help and shift opportunities mornings, afternoons, evenings and late-night before and during the festival. There is no minimum requirement in terms of amount of time or number of events needed to volunteer.  

General volunteers can help with ushering, ticket-taking and wayfinding. Specialized volunteers help photograph events (Photo & Social Media Team); run audio, video and lights (Production Team); help staff directly with administrative tasks (Office Team); move supplies and people (Transportation Team); sell merchandise at events or at our retail store (Retail Assistant & LaughFest Central Teams); and collect donations at festival events (High Five Team) and more. 

Those interested in volunteering can register at laughfestgr.org/volunteer/. Both new and returning volunteers can register through Feb. 10.

“This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers. Their willingness to volunteer their time is what makes Gilda’s LaughFest a successful event each year,” said Joanne Roehm, director of strategic initiatives and LaughFest.

Volunteers will need to participate in pre-festival training meetings. Orientations for new volunteers will take place Jan. 29 at Noon, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m., or Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at Gilda’s Club. Trainings for select teams are scheduled throughout February. Volunteers will be able to sign up for shifts at festival events beginning Feb. 10.

Entertainers announced for the tenth annual LaughFest include: Maria Bamford, Adam Cayton-Holland performing his one-man show “Happy Place,” Signature Event with Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Gaffigan, Ralph Harris, Russell Peters, JP Sears, Miranda Sings, Justin Willman as well as some festival newcomers and other returning favorites.

LaughFest 2020 will include more than 150 free and ticketed shows. LaughFest will feature over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Holland, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino.

LaughFest individual tickets are available for purchase at laughfestgr.org, in-person at the Van Andel Arena or DeVos Place Box Office or over the phone at 800.745.3000. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer and grief emotional health support program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.