On-Course Entertainment & Activation Assistant

St. Pete Run Fest

Reports to: Director of Fun & Community Engagement
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Position: Part-Time / Seasonal Race Week & Race Weekend
Event: St. Pete Run Fest
Race Weekend: November 13–15, 2026

Position Overview

St. Pete Run Fest is looking for an energetic, organized, and hands-on On-Course Entertainment & Activation Assistant to help create the fun, energy, and excitement along the race course.

This position will work closely with the Director of Fun & Community Engagement to plan, organize, coordinate, set up, and execute on-course entertainment and activations leading up to and throughout St. Pete Run Fest race weekend.

The ideal candidate is someone who is a St Pete local, loves events, is highly organized, enjoys working with people, and can take an idea and turn it into an exciting race-day experience.

This is a hands-on role. The Assistant will help with advance planning and communication, but the primary focus will be making sure activations are ready, staffed, stocked, and running smoothly during race weekend.

Key Responsibilities

🎉 On-Course Activation Planning

Assist the Director with planning and developing race-course activations, entertainment, and spectator experiences.

Responsibilities include:

  • Help brainstorm creative and engaging on-course entertainment ideas.
  • Assist with identifying and recruiting bands, DJs, cheer groups, performers, community groups, fitness groups, and other entertainment.
  • Help determine activation locations and placement along the course.
  • Maintain communication with activation participants leading up to race weekend.
  • Help identify or gather supplies, decorations, signage, props, and equipment.
  • Assist with creating activation checklists and race-week schedules.

📋 Pre-Race Organization

The Assistant will help ensure that every activation is ready before race weekend.

Responsibilities include:

  • Create and maintain activation checklists.
  • Organize contact information for all entertainment and activation groups.
  • Confirm participation and logistics with each group.
  • Assist with organizing activation supplies.
  • Organize equipment and supplies by activation location.
  • Help create race-weekend setup plans.
  • Communicate any issues or changes to the Director.

🚚 Race Weekend Setup

The Assistant will play a key role in physically preparing the course and activation areas.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Pick up and transport activation supplies and equipment.
  • Loading and unloading vehicles.
  • Set up tents, tables, chairs, signage, decorations, props, and other activation materials.
  • Place beach balls, bubble machines, flags, signs, inflatables, and other race-course flair.
  • Ensure each activation location has everything it needs before participants arrive.
  • Help entertainment groups get checked in and set up.
  • Confirm that activation areas are safe, clean, organized, and race-ready.
  • Take photos of completed setups for reference and documentation.

🏃 Race-Day Activation Support

During the races, the Assistant will help ensure that the course remains energetic and engaging.

Responsibilities include:

  • Visit and check on assigned activation locations throughout race day.
  • Make sure entertainment groups are in the correct locations and ready on time.
  • Troubleshoot equipment or supply issues.
  • Replenish supplies as needed.
  • Help activate backup plans when weather or other circumstances affect an activation.
  • Communicate issues to the Director quickly.
  • Assist entertainment and activation teams with questions or needs.
  • Help keep activation areas organized throughout the event.
  • Capture photos and videos for post-event and social media use.
  • Help create an energetic and positive experience for runners and spectators.

📦 Breakdown & Post-Event

After the races, assist with:

  • Breaking down activation areas.
  • Collecting signs, decorations, equipment, and supplies.
  • Loading and organizing event materials.
  • Returning rented or borrowed equipment.
  • Checking inventory and identifying items that need to be replaced.
  • Helping document what worked well and what should be improved for the following year.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is:

  • Energetic and enthusiastic.
  • Lives in and loves St Pete
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented.
  • Hands-on and willing to do whatever needs to be done.
  • Comfortable working outside and on their feet for extended periods.
  • Friendly and comfortable communicating with performers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and race participants.
  • A strong problem solver.
  • Able to stay calm when plans change.
  • Proactive and able to work independently.
  • Someone who notices what needs to be done and takes initiative.
  • Comfortable lifting and moving event supplies and equipment.
  • Someone who enjoys creating fun experiences.
  • A team player with a positive attitude.

Qualifications

  • Event planning, hospitality, sports, entertainment, marketing, or volunteer experience preferred.
  • Previous race or event experience is a plus.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Comfortable using email, Google Maps, spreadsheets, and basic project management tools.
  • Must be comfortable working outdoors and on your feet.
  • Must be available during St. Pete Run Fest race weekend, November 13–15, 2026, including early mornings, evenings, and event breakdown.
  • Must be dependable and able to work in a fast-paced event environment.
  • Must be able to drive a small rental truck or van.

What Success Looks Like

A successful On-Course Entertainment & Activation Assistant makes the Director’s job easier by ensuring that:

Every activation is planned.
Contacts, schedules, supplies, locations, and logistics are organized before race weekend.

Every activation is ready.
The right equipment and supplies are in the right place at the right time.

The course feels FUN.
Runners and spectators experience energy, entertainment, surprises, and memorable moments throughout the race.

Problems get solved quickly.
When something changes or goes wrong, the Assistant jumps in, finds a solution, and communicates with the Director.

Race weekend runs smoothly.
The Director can focus on the big picture because the Assistant is keeping the details moving.

Compensation

Hourly Rate: TBD based on experience
Schedule: Part-Time / Seasonal
Primary Location: St. Petersburg, Florida

The Big Picture

This isn’t a traditional assistant position.

We’re looking for someone who wants to be part of creating the fun at St. Pete Run Fest — someone who can help turn an empty stretch of road into a cheer zone, a party, a photo opportunity, a music experience, or a moment runners will remember long after they cross the finish line.

If you’re organized, energetic, creative, resourceful, and love live events, this could be the perfect role for you.

If interested email Michele@stpeterunfest.org