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Volunteer

Looking to volunteer with CarFest? See what your helping hands could do for another.

Then fill out our volunteer form to join our efforts in uniting the community!

Hear from one of our first car repair recipients who later became a volunteer!

GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFO

  • The minimum age to volunteer for all positions is 13.

  • This event is Inside and outside; some jobs will be in the sun and elements, including but not limited to heat, wind, and rain.

  • The majority of jobs require standing and/or walking for most of the shift.

  • Shifts are approximately 4 hours.

  • Need assistance? Contact the volunteer team:

    • Julie Seal: Board Member, Volunteer Chair

    • Lara Sily: Board Member, Volunteer Vice-Chair

VOLUNTEER AREAS

BBQ Cook-Off - The BBQ challenge of the year! Here you will rank the best BBQ around and assist with delivering any items to the BBQ teams in the competition.

Community - Community volunteers interact with the public and add help to make CarFest entertaining, educational, and fun! They assist in the Kids Corner, serving meals, coordinating outside events, and serve as CarFest representatives to the vehicle repair recipients and free car drawing winners.

Communications & Outreach - These volunteers help make a tabling presence at auto shows, car meets, and general volunteer events in the community.

Operations - Operation volunteers do the pre-event set up, assist with the smooth operation during CarFest, and handle the breakdown at the end of the event. These volunteers have a wide range of skills to include construction, organization, and communication combined with a "get it done" attitude.

Repairs - Interested in gaining repair experience as a auto tech student? See more info - Here 

  • How much does it costs to attend CarFest?
    CarFest is a free event. Parking is a separate fee paid at the gate.
  • What time does CarFest start?
    Friday, April 4th from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, April 5th from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Where does the money raised from CarFest go?
    Profits raised through CarFest go to scholarships for automotive technical programs in San Antonio. Since its creation in 2016, CarFest has awarded $497,000 in scholarships for area auto tech programs.
  • How can I sign up to get my car repaired?
    CarFest works with San Antonio nonprofits to select the 25 recepients of car repairs. Individuals must be nominated through a nonprofit in order to be considered for a car repair. To learn more about nonprofits we have worked with in the past, visit our charities page.
  • How can I sign up to win a car?
    CarFest givesaway a car every two hours on Saturday and Sunday. Those interested in winning a car will collect a ticket at the event and visit the six zones to collect a stamp. Each entry must be dropped it in the barrel to be considered.  Please note to be eligible to win participants, must:  1. Be present to win 2. Be 18 yrs old or older with a valid license 3. Provide proof of liability insurance 4. Be a Texas Resident or Active Duty Military Residing in Texas
  • When and where is the event?
    The event takes place on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM inside the Freeman Expo Hall Mainstage, San Antonio, TX.
  • Will I have to leave my food truck overnight?
    Yes, you will need to leave your food truck overnight on Friday and Saturday night.
  • What is the set up time and break down time?
    Set up can be as early as 12 PM Friday. Volunteers will be there helping with CarFest set up so you can sell them lunch. Break down would be 6:30 PM Sunday when the event closes.
  • What time do I show up?
    You must be ready and set up by 4:30 PM on Friday, and food trucks must be open by 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. You can set up as early as 8:30 AM Saturday and Sunday.
  • What permits are needed?
    It's the vendor's responsibility to acquire needed city and state permits. Must have proper up-to-date food and sanitation certification. Must provide an original Certificate of Insurance. Once you are fully licensed, insured, and compliant mobile food vehicles may participate. Please remember to bring your documents to the weekend of CarFest.
  • What documents do I need to submit?
    Once you fill out your online application we will need: - Photo of your food truck (For Proper Placement: Left or right serving) - Copy of your Mobile Food License - Copy of your Texas Sales Tax Certificate of Registration - Copy of your Certificate of Insurance - A menu of your food items
  • What is the fee to be a food truck vendor?
    The fee to be a regular food truck vendor is $75, this doesn't include electricity.
  • Is electricity included in the food truck vendor fee?
    Electricity is not included in the regular food truck fee, which is $75. BUT, if you want electricity, if you join the food truck competition for a fee of $250, you will receive electricity.
  • Will I be able to keep all of my proceeds?
    You will be able to keep 90% of your gross profits, but you will need to give 10% of your gross profit to CarFest.
  • Will I need to bring my own generator?
    If you are a regular food truck vendor, yes you will need to bring a generator. If you are a part of our food truck competition then electricity is already included in the fee, so you wouldn't need a generator.
  • What does my monetary donation contribute to?
    Thank you for your contribution to CarFest! Monetary donations go toward costs to put on CarFest,
  • Why might my monetary donation go toward a Giveaway car?
    Giveaway cars may need repairs to prepare them for CarFest. This included purchasing parts for the vehicle in order to get them in tip-top condition.
  • What sponsorships options are available?
    We have a range of sponsorship packages including, Presenting Sponsors, Advocate Sponsors, Patron Sponsors, Official Media Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors. Sponsorship levels can start as low as $750 We will tailor-fit a package designed for the company and encourage interested parties to reach out to admin@carfest.org.
  • Can multiple companies be a part of one sponsorship package?
    Yes! Contact CarFest at admin@carfestsa.org to learn more about how multiple parties can customize a sponsorship package.
  • What happens to the car that I donate?
    Your car donation can be used in one of three ways. 1. We will sell the vehicle the funds are used for future cars or car parts to be a part of the Cars for Community program. 2. Use the car for parts to repair an already acquired giveaway car or we will sell parts for funds for future cars or car parts to be a part of the Cars for Community program. 3. Your vehicle will be repaired and included in the 10-car giveaway group on Saturday & Sunday of the event! Each of these pathways support CarFest's overall mission to unite the automotive community. It also supports our efforts to bring the transportation gap for individuals and families, supporting automotive trades programs and fostering a better community.
  • What kinds of vehicles can be donated?
    We accept cars, trucks and SUVs of all makes and models.
  • How do I receive my tax information for my vehicle donation?
    CarFest will take care of the paperwork and details needed to complete the vehicle donation process.
  • What happens to my vehicle title?
    CarFest will take care of transferring documentation to ensure that the vehicle's ownership is transferred successfully.
  • How is the market value of my donation determined?
    CarFest determines the market value of the donation by inspecting the car’s condition and history. To get a better understanding of the value of your vehicle, visit Kelly Blue Book at www.kbb.com.
  • Is my monetary donation tax deductible? How can I find the relevant paperwork?
    Yes! Since CarFest is a part of a registered 501(c)3 charity, all donations are tax-deductible. CarFest will provide the relevant documentation to record the deduction value for your taxes.
  • My car is inoperable, can CarFest pick it up?
    Yes! Contact CarFest at (210) 308-7424 to go over the details and schedule a pickup.
  • Q: Do you allow walk-up volunteers?
    A: No
  • Q: Can I sign up to volunteer after online volunteer registration closes?
    A: Due to the size and logistics, we do not allow signups after the online registration closes
  • Q: When does online registration close?
    A: Generally, one week before the event, which will be on 03/29/24
  • Q: Can I volunteer for additional shifts? Can I sign up for more than one shift?
    Yes, Sign Up Genius has a breakdown of time and multiple shifts to select. During the event - not all shifts will be available for volunteers to select.
  • Q: Can I do a different job than the one I signed up for online?
    A: No, you are asked to fulfill the shift you signed up for. Should an area open up for assistance, we will contact you if hours are needed from a volunteer.
  • Q: How early can I check-in for my shift?
    A: No more than 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
  • Q: Do I have to use my food voucher during my shift?
    A: Not necessarily during your shift but you do have to use it before the end of the day. A new one will be provided to you the next day.
  • Q: Can I use my volunteer food voucher at any food truck?
    A: Yes
  • Q: What hours are the food trucks open?
    A: Friday - 12PM-10PM Saturday -10AM-10PM Sunday -10AM-6PM
  • Q: Can I get an extra volunteer t-shirt?
    A: Yes, for an extra charge
  • Q: I lost a food voucher. Can I get a replacement?
    A: No
  • Q: What if I can’t make my shift?
    A: Please send an email to volunteer@carfestsa.org as soon as you know you will not be able to work.
  • Q: Can a parent, friend, or other person fill in for me if I can’t work my shift or need to arrive late or leave early?
    A: No, that includes other registered volunteers
  • Q: Where should I park? Are parking accommodations provided?
    You will receive a parking map document with instructions on where to park after your shift is assigned on Sign Up Genius.

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