With just under two weeks until the annual Covered Bridge Celebration, the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce is still looking for volunteers to help with the event.

“We are always looking for volunteers,” Chamber Director Tonya Stevens said, adding the volunteers play a tremendous role in making the event a success year after year. The Chamber of Commerce has a small staff, Stevens explained, so they rely heavily on volunteers to help stage and host the festival.

“It’s a big festival, and it takes a lot of help,” Stevens said.

This year, Covered Bridge Celebration will take place on Thursday, June 8, through Saturday, June 10.

Volunteer opportunities include assisting with entertainment, working the information booth, helping provide directions to visitors, festival set up, and a wide variety of other tasks.

“Any skill level you have, we can make use of it,” Stevens said.

Volunteers can commit any amount of time they are able — from one hour to an entire day. The festival typically runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday evening and then from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The final night of the event always features a special musical performance and fireworks celebration.

“It’s a great opportunity for those people who need community service hours for whatever reason,” Stevens said, adding it is a great way for students to earn their service hours for their Tennessee Promise scholarships.

Volunteers can be as young as 16 years old, but Stevens said those under the age of 18 will need a signed consent form from their parent or guardian as well as a liability waiver.

Stevens said the Chamber encourages local businesses or civic groups to volunteer and wear their company or organization’s shirt to get their name out in the community.

For more information on volunteer opportunities with the Covered Bridge Festival, contact Tonya Stevens or Elizabeth White at the Chamber of Commerce by calling 423-547-3850.