Volunteer for Picnic at the Pops!
Our Picnic at the Pops! concert takes place annually every Saturday following Labor Day in September at the E. & J. Gallo Winery grounds.
About our volunteer Opportunities
Venue Experience Team
The Venue Experience Team helps our Front of House staff create a welcoming and inviting space for our concerts. They assist with setting up and breaking down our venue space, including setting up tables, chairs, tents, and signage. Some shifts may require being outdoors in the sun, the ability to lift up to 10 pounds, and being on your feet for an extended period of time. These shifts occur the day or morning before the concert and the morning after the concert.
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Shifts: Day of concert, 9 am to ~11 am
Brief Description: Assist MSO staff with general Front of House set up. This can include but not limited to setting up tables, pop-up tents, chairs, linens and signs.
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Day: Morning after concert, 8 am to ~11 am (or until grounds are clear)
Assist MSO staff with general clean up. This can include but not limited to breaking down tables, pop-up tents, putting away chairs, table cloths, and signs and general trash pick-up and grounds clearing.
Patron Experience Team
Our Patron Experience Team is a group of energetic, highly motivated, customer service-oriented individuals for performances and events. For Picnic at the Pops, duties include selling scrip for alcohol sales and assisting patrons with carrying their picnic gear. These shifts occur before, during, and after the concert.
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Day: During the concert, starting at 4:45pm to intermission
Length of Shift: ~4 hrs, with break
Brief Description: Sell scrip tickets to patrons. Scrip is needed to purchase wine and beverages from the bars. Volunteers must be able to quickly and accurately make change in cash as well as operate an iPad for credit card purchases.
Must be 18 years of age to volunteer.
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Length of Shift: During the concert, 2 shifts: before and after concert ~ 2 hrs
Brief Description: Assist patrons and their picnic gear up and down the staircase between parking lots safely. Path attendants help point patrons in the right direction from parking lots to concert grounds.
Other kinds of volunteer opportunities may be available such as providing Musician Home-stays, transport, and first-aid. If you are interested in volunteering in other ways than stated above, please email Bianca Roberts at bancheta@modestosymphony.org.
Benefits: All volunteers will receive a complimentary ticket to the concert. Volunteers assisting with setup on Saturday morning will receive their voucher after their shift is over. Those volunteering during the concert evening will be allowed to enjoy the concert after their shift is over. Volunteers assisting on Sunday for clean up can pick up their complimentary tickets prior to the concert.
Additional Info: Some shifts may require you to be outdoors, in the sun and on your feet for an extended period of time. We will have water readily available, but please bring anything that may help you through your shift (i.e. sunscreen, sunglasses, hat). We will also have pizza delivered for all volunteers working the concert by 6:00pm
If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out the form below, and we will be in contact shortly with more information about your shift and duties. Each volunteer must submit their form individually.
Sign Up to Volunteer for Picnic at the Pops!
Picnic at the Pops! volunteer sign-up deadline: Friday, August 22, 2025
If you have any additional questions about volunteering with the MSO, please email Bianca Roberts at bancheta@modestosymphony.org.
If you’re interested in other volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page.
