THOUGHT BUBBLE 2016 - volunteering

Thought Bubble 2016 volunteers 

I've been attending Thought Bubble since 2012 not as a seller or a volunteer but as a tourist. In previous years I queued, bought my weight in comic books and left. There was also a year where I attended a panel hosted by Natasha Allegri and the team working on Studio Frederators 'Bee and Puppycat' series, but besides that my attendance at the Festival involved me buying comics as quick as possible because I felt too awkward to start a conversation with anyone there however I was determined to change this. This year I wanted to be part of Thought Bubble, so I volunteered to help out at the festival any way I could. After applying to volunteer (and being approved) I was added to the Facebook volunteer group and got to know a few faces before the set up day.

Setting up started at 6am and the level of excitement I felt putting on the signature red shirt was because of 2 reasons;  1. The volunteer shirt was illustrated by Andrew Maclean, who is currently one of my all time favourite illustrators and 2. It was bloody freezing outside. After running around doing little jobs like putting up signs and setting up chairs I was then sent to my spot for the day - the massive marquee. Jobs volunteers did circulated so someone wasn't stuck outside in the cold the entire day, but mine rotated between checking Gold VIP wrist bands, checking weekend wristbands, keeping an eye on the MONDO queue and watching the doors pre-lunchtime and then focuses on the VIP queue for Mike Mignola. Rotating all these jobs, I got to know all the other volunteers working in the marquee who were all lovely people and chatted to a number of VIPs.

Layout of the MASSIVE MARQUEE

After the Saturday show was done I headed into town with a few volunteers I had gotten to know for a few drinks and later attended the after party. I only volunteered for the Saturday, but I loved working at Thought Bubble 2016! Sure it was freezing, my feet hurt and I don't know when I'll next have to get at taxi at 5:30am that isn't to go home - But it was more than worth it. I'm looking forward to being part of ThoughtBubble 2017 either as a volunteer once again or perhaps even a VIP (here's hoping).