Main Street Blytheville has many volunteer opportunities

Since I became the director of Main Street Blytheville little over nine months ago, when a member of the community asks me for a specific thing they can do for Downtown Blytheville, I would respond with a question: "What would you like to do... is there something relating to bettering our downtown that you have passion and energy that will help make our historic downtown district exceptional?"

Now seems like a good time to begin being more specific for those who need a little guidance on the 'wheres and whats' behind that question. So here are few possibilities for those who want to be involved in the community and need more specific suggestions. Consider this a Main Street Blytheville "want ad."

Farmers' Market Coordinator

HOURS - 4 Hours Saturday morning, plus about two additional hours per week, anytime

DUTIES - The Blytheville Farmers' Market provides a wholesome place for the community to gather on Saturday Mornings to find locally produced foods and assorted arts & craft items. The Blytheville Farmers' Market proudly provides a venue in the north county for organic produce form Wilson Gardens. The Market Coordinator (could be one individual or several people sharing the responsibility) arrives early (7:30am) to set up and stays through the shut-down of the market (around 11:30am) each Saturday morning to provide support to the purveyors and customers. In addition the Saturdays, a couple of hours during the week could be needed for promoting and growing the Farmers' Market.

OF NOTE - Fun, rewarding, and not too difficult to master.

Monthly Last Saturdays Coordinator

HOURS - 16 Hours each month, including a full day the actual Last Saturday day.

DUTIES - The Last Saturdays are a monthly event that highlight Blytheville's Historic Downtown with a daylong schedule of activities and events for the entire community. As the name implies, Last Saturdays occur on the last Saturday of each month and include the weekly Farmers' Market and much more, including... special promotions from the Downtown Merchants, a morning bicycle ride, a car and trailer swap, local artists displaying their work, something creative and educational from the Delta Gateway Museum, Noon Cartoons at the Ritz Theater, and live music in the evening. The Last Saturdays Coordinator (could be one individual or several people sharing the responsibility) needs to be available as needed on the Last Saturdays, to provide support (about eight hours). There is another eight or so hours of preparation involved in planning each of the Last Saturdays.

OF NOTE - Fun, rewarding, creative, and a bit more challenging.

Docent... Information Person for the Bus Station and Downtown Historic District

HOUR - 4 hour (9am-12:30pm or 12:30pm-4:00)... can be done once each month or more often if desired.

DUTIES - The docent greets visitors to our Historic Bus Station (and yes, our Bus Station attracts tourists from all over the world) and provides them with information about our town and its history. A docent is a combination of a welcomer, tour guide, historian, and often the person that gets to make a first impression of Blytheville. A Docent can volunteer for morning or afternoon times and volunteer as often as as their schedule allows.
OF NOTE - Fun, rewarding and perfect for meeting and talking to people visiting Blytheville.

So if you are one that needs specifics, these are just a few of the many volunteer options to consider. But if you have your own passion and energy for something new downtown, I still want to hear about it. Please contact me at Tucker.Nunn@MainStreetBlytheville.com or 870-763-2525.