Organizers of the 30th annual marine heritage festival are in need of volunteers. To date, 100 people have signed up to participate in the city's signature event. Allaina Kane, special events coordinator for Port Colborne Economic and Tourism Development Corp. is hoping to add another 150 names to that list before the festival starts next weekend.

"Volunteers are really the backbone of Canal Days," said Kane. "Without them, Canal Days wouldn't exist."

Volunteers are needed for a number of different activities and there are a number of shifts running from 8:30 a.m. to midnight over the course of the festival.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, but organizers will make an exception for mature youth 14 and up, Kane said.

A volunteer orientation is planned for Tuesday, July 29 at city hall, all volunteers must attend.

If organizers are unable to attract needed volunteers, city staff will be required to put in extra time.

Application forms are available on the Canal Days website at www.canaldays.ca/volunteers or by calling 905-834-1668.