2014 was my first year volunteering for the preeminent Twin Cities Summer event, the Basilica Block Party.  I had so much fun, that when given the opportunity to return, I jumped at the chance.  So I returned this year determined to make this the best Basilica Block Party ever and to offer my services in other areas of the event.  Rather than waiting for the event to start on Friday to begin my volunteering, I made myself available for help the day before.

My decision to assist with some of the set-up of the event on Thursday July 9 was both a blessing and a curse.  It had been a while since I did any physical labor.  Hell, I haven’t even been to the gym in almost 4 years.  But I was glad to help our logistics team with some last minute set up of the grounds.  My body (and those of my co-horts Tony and Dave) felt a little differently come Thursday evening and Friday morning.  However, being on site Thursday did allow me the opportunity to assist in transportation of some of the band personnel as they were arriving to the airport from all over the country that afternoon.  I was able to connect with the production manager of one of Friday night’s headliners.  We shared some brief words and it was nice to find out that this individual was just a “regular” person.

Mat Kearney – Sound Check on Friday July 10

I returned again early Friday morning to continue with set up and make sure the grounds were ready for the SELL-OUT crowd that evening.  Being on the grounds early also afforded me the opportunity to take in the sound check of one of my favorite artists, Mat Kearney.  Needless to say, he killed it!  Once the event began, I was stationed at my assigned tent assisting my team of volunteers in the selling of the food and beverage tickets used throughout the site to purchase, well, food and beverages.  I am very thankful to both the returning and new volunteers that were part of my team, as the entire night ran smoothly and made my job easy.  Being a sell-out, Friday was a crazy night and kept me and other committee members on hand until after midnight.

I was back at it Saturday morning for a team meeting and then to assist once again with band transportation.  Though a very quiet drive, I enjoyed my time helping the crew of one of Saturday night headliners.  The afternoon brought doubt as to the kind of weather we were going to be dealing with.  Ominous clouds appeared from the west, and kept us all in suspense right up until show time.  Fortunately, the rain stayed away and we were given a second beautiful night in a row.  A few less people than Friday made Saturday much more manageable.  Once again, the evening brought me to my food and beverage ticket tent, where I was joined by friends and family as volunteers for the night.  Thanks to them and to the rest of my Saturday night team for helping make it another successful night and event overall.

Emmy Award-winning actor Woody Harrelson visits my ticket tent.

They were even able to hold down the fort when I offered up my escort services to special guest, actor Woody Harrelson.  During our walk, Woody and I enjoyed a short conversation about the event.  He marveled at the beauty of the Basilica and was very impressed when I shared with him that the Basilica (of Saint Mary) was the first basilica in the United States.  He was happy to hear that the money raised by the event goes to both the upkeep of the structure as well as the outreach programs facilitated by the Basilica and its patrons.  Once again, it was proven that, more often than not, celebrities are just “regular” people.  I was appreciative of the time I spent with Mr. Harrelson, same as he was for the time and effort I took to escort him.

My Sunday passengers Fitz and the Tantrums arriving for their Saturday night headlining gig.

But the end of the Block Party Saturday night did not signal the end of the weekend for me.  I offered my driving expertise once again for band transport on Sunday morning.  I lucked out and was able to share my van with the band and crew of Fitz and The Tantrums, with Fitz riding shotgun in the front seat.  Before our trip to the airport began, he approved of my text message ringtone as he played air bass to the Law & Order theme song emanating from my phone’s speakers.  After successfully dropping the band off for their flight to LA, I returned back to the Basilica to retrieve my vehicle and drive home.  However, the day had other plans for me, as I ran into Basilica Block Party Executive Director, Tom Sullivan.  Prefacing my inquiry with “I know I’m going to regret this”, I asked Tom if I could be of assistance.

BBP Executive Director Tom Sullivan and myself prepping for our final run-through of the event site.

You should have seen Tom’s eyes light up!  Tom and I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening buzzing around the grounds cleaning up the site.  From trash removal to equipment retrieval to janitorial duties, we did our best to make sure that the grounds and buildings were back to normal after having over 25,000 people on the premises that past two days.  As the sun began to set and severe weather roll in, Tom and I said our goodbyes and thanked each other for the hard work and selflessness we exhibited over the past 4 days.  For the 21st time, the Basilica Block Party was a success.  And for the second time, I am proud to say that I helped make it that way along with all my fellow committee members, volunteers, artists, security, police, vendors and countless others that show up every year…in July…for two days…to simply #PraiseTheLoud!

Interested in volunteering next year?  Be sure to go to basilicablockparty.org and follow them on all the social media channels, so you know when the volunteer call goes out in the spring.