Vendors, volunteers wanted by Valleyfest

Valleyfest is only two weeks away, and organizers are still hoping to line up more volunteers, vendors and parade entries.

“I need high school kids,” said organizer Peggy Doering. “I need help with the parking lot and setup. I need help with handing out fliers and posters after school next week.”

Since school just got back in session, the parade is also woefully short of students. No bands, usually a parade staple, have signed up yet. “I need school representation,” Doering said. “We’ve got floats and princesses.”

This is the first time the annual festival has been held in Mirabeau Meadows Park. The event was moved from its traditional location at Terrace View Park to take advantage of the larger space available at Mirabeau. The daylong event is set for Sept. 25.

The deadline for parade participants to register is Sept. 23. The deadline for vendors to sign up for a booth is Monday, but Doering said she’d take late applicants for a few days after that. The cost for a booth is $75 for commercial businesses and $35 for arts and crafts vendors.

The most recent development is a state grant that will pay STA to provide shuttle services to and from Mirabeau Meadows.

There is limited parking available at the park and that will be reserved for vendors and the handicapped.

The shuttle bus will stop at 10 marked locations at the Valley Mall.

The bus will also make stops at the Pinecroft Business Park at the intersection of Pines Road and Mirabeau Parkway.

Parking will also be available at Trent Elementary and Mirabeau Chapel, both located across Pines from the business park.

“It’s a free shuttle,” Doering said. “They are big buses. They can accommodate wheelchairs.”

Those planning to drive to one of the available parking lots should keep in mind that Mirabeau Parkway will be closed in front of Mirabeau Meadows. Only buses, vendors and the handicapped will be let through.