Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Pancakes on the Plaza 2025! Volunteers like you make this beloved Fourth of July tradition a success, serving breakfast to up to 15,000 people. Many volunteers return year after year—some for decades—while new volunteers join us annually. If you’re returning, welcome back! If you’re new (or returning after a break), we’ll ensure you feel welcome and have a great time.
Volunteering is fun and it supports vital youth programs in our community. Success depends on teamwork, flexibility, and a few key commitments:
- Check in at the Volunteer Tent at least 15 minutes before your shift and plan to complete your full shift unless otherwise arranged. Schedules may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Follow team leader instructions, especially for safety and health. Cook Tent volunteers must be at least 18 and wear closed-toe shoes, a head covering, and latex gloves.
As a volunteer, you’ll enjoy a free breakfast and a collectible Pancakes t-shirt—don’t forget to mark your size on the application! When signing up, be generous with your availability and job preferences. Selecting multiple shifts won’t obligate you to work them all but helps our all-volunteer committee place you where you’re needed most.
We appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating with you!
For questions, write volunteers@pancakesontheplaza.com or call 505-428-9542
VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTIONS
Off-site food and beverage prep and clean-up
(July 3 and 4, All Shifts)
Tasks: Wash and sanitize food preparation equipment, e.g., batter buckets, and cooking utensils pre- and post-event. Mix batter (3rd). Brew coffee (4th). Inventory equipment and supplies (3rd). Special need for those able to do some heavy lifting.
What’s required: Some bending, heavy lifting. Standing for periods of time. Willingness to get dirty/wet. Ability to comply with all health and safety requirements and regulations. May involve supervised operation of restaurant-size, heavy duty equipment (mixer, dishwasher, coffee brewers). Closed-toe, non-slip footwear.
Hospitality
(July 3, All Shifts; July 4, All Shifts)
Tasks: Check-in volunteers. Check-in arts and crafts vendors. Assist Stage manager, performers and entertainers with set-up. Provide general assistance to attendees. Give directions and answer questions.
What’s required: Some sitting, standing, walking. Consult maps to give directions.
Tent Furniture and Supplies Set-up
(July 3, Shifts B, C, and D)
Tasks: Move tables to Cook Tents. Cover tables. Cover pavement. Bring in supplies from pods.
Check inventory.
What’s required: Walking, bending, lifting, checking inventory spreadsheets.
Food Cooking and Serving
(Cook Tents) (July 4, Shifts B1, B2)
Tasks: Flip pancakes. Cook sausage. Pour batter. Serve plates of pancakes. Pour juice. Fill coffee cups. Hand out napkins and eating utensils. Keep work areas clean. Help clean-up.
What’s required: Appropriate attire (hair covering; closed-toe, non-slip footwear; no loose-fitting clothing). Standing. Some bending, lifting. Ability to comply with all safety and health requirements and regulations. Interact with other volunteers and the public.
Cook Tent Shutdown and Plaza Clean Up
(July 4, Shifts C, D, and E)
Tasks. Organize supplies and equipment; move to pods. Fold up tables and chairs. Take down banners and signs. Pick up trash. Inventory and reload supplies and equipment in pods. Special need for those able to climb ladders and do some heavy lifting.
What’s required. Some bending and lifting, walking, sanitizing.
Traffic Monitors
(July 3 and 4, All Shifts)
Tasks: Assist paid traffic control personnel in monitoring traffic. Help enforce City Ordinance banning non-service animals on Plaza and traffic control plan adopted by City.
What’s required: Familiarity with traffic control plan and enforcement of City’s Animal Control Ordinance (information provided). Ability to be firm, but polite.
Facilitators/Runners
(July 3 and 4, All Shifts)
Tasks: Keep cook tents supplied with batter, sausage and other supplies. Return used/empty cook tent equipment to off-site locations (for refilling or cleaning). Help musicians transport instruments from the loading zone to Plaza Stage. Deposit full trash bags from cook tents to dumpsters. Monitor Plaza “watering holes” and replenish with bottled water and ice.
What’s required: Some bending, lifting. Ability to pull garden-style cart up to 3 blocks.
Youth Squad
(July 4, Shifts B1, B2)
Tasks: Distribute bottled water. Wipe down dining tables and chairs. Provide assistance to attendees by carrying plates and cups. Help keep Plaza clean. Wear FlapJack costume!
What’s required: Signed permission and waiver from legal guardian.
Final Clean-up
(July 4, Shift E)
Tasks: On Plaza be sure all areas are clean, no trash or batter on the ground. No supplies, signs, trash, equipment or furniture remaining. Help load pods.
What’s required: Standing, bending, lifting, walking, using available cleaning tools and supplies.