Fossil Fest Friend
Show your support by becoming a North Carolina Fossil Festival Friend! This opportunity is open to individuals who invest $100 (plus a processing fee of approximately $8) to help make the 2025 NC Fossil Fest successful.
Friends will be recognized on signage at the Aurora Fossil Museum before, during, and after the NC Fossil Festival in rank order from the date of investment! Invest soon for a low rank!
Each NC Fossil Festival Friend will be entered to win a 2025 NC Fossil Festival gift basket. The winning name will be drawn on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Become a Sponsor
Deadline: 3/31/2025
Deadline: 3/31/2025
Deadline: 3/31/2025
Deadline: 4/20/2025
Deadline: 4/20/2025
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Deadline: 5/17/2025
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Megalodon Sponsors
Karen Christie Designs
In-Kind Sponsors
Vendor Opportunities
Commercial Food Vendor spaces are designated for those who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers.
Deadline: 4/12/2025
Spaces available for Merchandise Vendors. This category is limited to ONE vendor representing a particular re-sale business, commonly referred to “network marketing”.
Deadline: 5/3/2025
Space for Arts & Crafts Vendors Categories:
- You MUST submit a separate application for each type.
- If you sell jewelry, you may apply in a category other than Jewelry if the jewelry is less than 10% of your items for sale. Otherwise, you must apply in Jewelry.
- All work displayed in the booth must be for sale.
Deadline: 5/10/2025
These spaces are reserved for non-profit organizations fundraising (like selling raffle tickets) to support their organization and to raise awareness of their community services OR Non-Profit Informational booths are reserved for non-profit organizations not selling items. PLEASE INDICATE IN APPLICATION.
Deadline: 5/17/2025
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Application Deadline: 5/4/2025
Every journey begins with setting up, and our festival is no different. We will need help to prepare the 2025 North Carolina Fossil Festival for its grand adventure!
Set-Up Volunteers will help with the following:
— Arrange tables, chairs, and tents in their respective places
— Placing signage and hanging banners
— Assist with other tasks that will prepare the festival for the rest of the weekend
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis. So sign up ASAP!
While parking isn’t the most fun position to volunteer for, it is one of the most valuable places we can use your help!
Parking Volunteers will help with the following:
— Guide cars to parking spots within designated festival parking areas
— Ensure the safety of people driving and walking in parking lots
— Greet people and direct them to the Information Booths.
There are three festival parking zones
— General Parking
— Volunteer/Vendor Parking
— Handicap Parking
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Are you a people person? Do you have an outgoing personality? Are you good at answering questions and providing information? Then help out as one of our Info Station Crew!
Info Station Volunteers Should:
— Welcome people entering the festival
— Encourage donations to the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Ask festival attendees to complete a survey
— Market and sell NC Fossil Festival merchandise
— Assist festival attendees with the event map and schedule of events/activities
We will have two(2) Information Booth locations:
— Corner of Pearl & Third Streets (Alpha-Main Entrance)
–Next to the Aurora Fossil Museum Learning Center (Bravo-Fourth Street)
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Since the early 1900s, the Town of Aurora has been known for its parades. You can be part of the Aurora tradition by helping with the NC Fossil Festival Parade!
Parade Volunteers will help with the following:
— Assisting the Parade Committee with tasks before, during, and after the parade
— Assist with parade float and vehicle line-up
— Assist with post-parade clean up of parade route
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew Shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Are you a people person? Do you have an outgoing personality? Are you good at answering questions and handling boxes of shovels? Then help out in the Gift Shop!
Gift Shop Volunteers Should:
— Welcome people entering the Main Building of the Aurora Fossil Museum and Outdoor Gift Shop
— Assist Museum Staff with handling Gift Shop items
— Market and sell NC Fossil Festival merchandise
— Encourage donations to the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Assist festival attendees with general festival & museum questions.
We will have two Gift Shop locations:
— 400 Main Street (Inside the Main Museum Building)
— Fossil Park Picnic Shelter
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
The primary activity of any visit to the Aurora Fossil Museum and the NC Fossil Festival is searching for fossils in the museum’s fossil pits. Must be outgoing, able to be outside in the full sun for the duration of each shift, and must know about fossils frequently discovered in the Aurora Fossil Museum’s Fossil Pits.
Fossil Pit Crew will help with the following:
— Monitor the fossil pits to ensure the safety of festival participants
— Identify and educate fossil hunters about the fossils they find.
There are three fossil pit locations:
— Main Pit: located at the corner of Main & Fourth Streets, across from the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Back Pit: located next to the Aurora Fossil Museum’s parking lot
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Beer Tent Crew will have the following tasks:
— MUST BE 21 TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE BREW ZONE
— Check ID/Sell Beer Tickets
— Monitor beer tent and area and remedy any issues
— Pick up trash around the Beer Tent Area
— Other tasks as needed
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Do you like to help keep the Earth clean and happy? Want to help keep the festival area clean? Then consider volunteering to collect trash!
Trash Crew Volunteers will help with the following:
— Monitor and pick up trash in and around the festival footprint
— Monitor and empty trash cans as they become full
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Kids Zone Crew will help with the following monitor, lead, and assist with youth activities
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Ssshhh! It’s time for the Silent Auction and its time to we need your help!
The Silent Auction Crew will help with the following:
— Set up, monitor, and provide information about the auction items
— Provide directions on how the silent auction works
— Assist with silent auction sign-up
— Assist with post-auction processing and clean-up
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
SUNDAY ONLY. Sign up to assist our Program Developer with STEM-based activities for all to learn and enjoy.
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
SUNDAY ONLY: Even if you don’t run in the 5k, consider being part of the Fossil 5k Crew to rev your day!
Fossil 5k Volunteers will help with the following:
— Pack Leader and Turtle
— Set up guides to ensure runners stay on the path
— Filling water stations so no one gets dehydrated
— Cheering runners on at finish line
— Cleaning up any trash after the run is over
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!
To sign-up, please see below.
On Memorial Day, the Aurora Fossil Museum will host a Veteran’s & First Responder’s breakfast to show our appreciation of those who have served and serve our country and the Aurora Community.
Veteran’s & First Responder’s Breakfast Crew will help with the following:
— Set up and prepare the Aurora Community Building for Sunday breakfast on Saturday evening.
— Sunday morning preparations
— Clean up and ensure all tables, chairs, and other related items are taken down and areas clean after breakfast on Sunday.
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! Please see below to sign-up to help us thank our Veterans and First Responders.
A festival doesn’t end until all evidence is gone! So, help us conclude the festival by being helping out on the Post-Festival Crew!
Post-Festival Crew will help with the following:
— Remove tables, tents, and chairs
— Organizing and preparing equipment for storage
— Pick up remaining trash
— Assist with other tasks to ensure the museum and town grounds are clean and orderly
Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2025 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2025 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2025 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!
Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP! To sign-up, please see below.
Become a STEAM Partner
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Apply to become a STEAM Partner for the NC Fossil Festival.
Jurassic Classic
The Jurassic Classic is an annual fundraising event hosted by Flythe’s Bike Shop.
It’s back! We’re having our bicycle ride at the North Carolina Fossil Festival!
We will depart at 9:30 AM on Saturday, May 24th, for a 38-mile ride through the local area and countryside.
When we return, please enjoy all the activities at the Festival. There will be plenty to do! Find sharks teeth in the fossil pits, visit the Aurora Fossil Museum, check out the live music, and enjoy the various food options provided by the vendors.
Meeting spot to be determined.
Proceeds from the Jurassic Classic benefit the nonprofit Aurora Fossil Museum.
For details and to sign up, contact Steve Marcer at Flythe’s Bike Shop (252) 638-1544
NC Fossil Fest 5K Run
The NC Fossil Fest 5k Run will take place on May 25, 2025 at 8:00 am.
The Virtual 5K will take place from May 1st – May 25th 2025.
Parade
Apply to participate in the North Carolina Fossil Festival Parade which will occur at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
