Trade Secrets 2026 — Volunteer Guide
Sunday Sale at Lime Rock Park
Sunday, May 17, 2026 · 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM · Lakeville, CT
Trade Secrets is Project SAGE’s 26-year signature fundraiser. Every vendor supported, every guest welcomed, and every cart delivered goes toward serving survivors of domestic violence. Thank you for being here.
Ticket Waves
Guests arrive in four waves. Expect to be very busy from 7:00 AM through 1:00 PM — Underwriters make up roughly half our attendance, and General Admission is the next large surge.
7:30 AM
Underwriters
Largest wave — ~half of all attendees
9:00 AM
Early Buyers
Second wave
10:30 AM
General Admission
Next large surge
12:00 PM
Late Bloomers
Final wave
The Day at a Glance
| 7:30 AM | Underwriters enter · Welcome Tent opens · breakfast available for Underwriters in the Hospitality Tent |
| 9:00 AM | Early Buyers enter · book signing begins (Oblong Books, Hospitality Tent) · breakfast available for Early Buyers in the Hospitality Tent |
| 10:00 AM | Book signing ends |
| 10:30 AM | General Admission enters · breakfast service ends for Underwriters and Early Buyers |
| 12:00 PM | Late Bloomers enter · volunteer lunch shifts begin at the Chalet |
| 2:00 PM | Event closes · Pick-Up/Drop-Off stays active until all items are claimed |
Key Locations
Welcome Tent — main entrance; all ticket scanning and wristbands, guides and programs
Hospitality Tent — behind Welcome Tent; free breakfast buffet (Underwriters & Early Buyers, 7:30–10:30 AM), Oblong Books & signing (9–10 AM), shade tables
Restrooms + food for purchase — behind the Hospitality Tent (including handicap-accessible)
Water bubblers — near the Hospitality Tent
Pick-Up/Drop-Off — numbered, color-coded grid where purchases are staged for car pickup
Kelly Carter shipping tent — near Pick-Up/Drop-Off; handles heavy items and shipping questions
Volunteer Tent — outside Welcome Tent, near Pick-Up/Drop-Off; volunteer check-in with Virginia Gold
Vendor supply tent — far back behind Hospitality Tent; stakes and tape for restocking
Volunteer Chalet — far back to the left; restrooms, snacks, coffee, and volunteer lunch from noon
Project SAGE Tent — branded Trade Secrets bags for sale
Purple nametag or purple ribbon on a badge means this person knows the answer to your question — or knows how to find it. Seek them out first if something comes up.
Logistics
Address
60 White Hollow Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039
Volunteer Parking
Overflow/vendor lot — see event map in Volunteer Portal
Check-In
Volunteer Tent — Virginia Gold, Director of Client Services
Arrive By
10–15 min before your shift; time is in your confirmation email
Volunteer Lunch
Volunteer Chalet from noon — your captain will let you know when to go
Questions
Wear comfortable shoes that can get wet, weather-appropriate layers, and bring a water bottle. An optional t-shirt and apron are available at the Volunteer Tent. No pets on site.
Site Maps
Two maps to help you orient yourself. The vendor layout shows which color group each vendor belongs to. The aerial map shows the Pick-Up/Drop-Off grid and transport area.
Vendor Layout — Color Groups
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Grid & Transport Area
Tap a role to read what it involves. Your shift time is in your confirmation email — contact Nichole at tradesecrets@project-sage.org if you need it resent. Full role descriptions are linked in each card.
Welcome Greeter
▼
You set the tone for every guest’s day. The Welcome Tent is the single entry point — everyone passes through you.
- Scan tickets and issue colored wristbands to every guest — wristbands identify who has checked in, whether or not they plan to purchase
- Hand out event guides and programs
- Welcome guests warmly and orient them — vendors, Hospitality Tent, restrooms
- Underwriter and Early Buyer ticket holders receive free breakfast in the Hospitality Tent — they are already aware of this
- Children under 12 are free, do not need a wristband, and must be accompanied by an adult
Hospitality Tent Assistant
▼
The Hospitality Tent is a hub for guests throughout the day — breakfast, shade, and the book signing all happen here. You keep it welcoming, clean, and running smoothly.
- Maintain the free breakfast buffet (7:30–10:30 AM) for Underwriter and Early Buyer ticket holders
- Support the Oblong Books book signing (9:00–10:00 AM) — help with guest flow
- Keep tables clean and the space tidy throughout the day
- Answer guest questions and direct them as needed
Vendor Transport Team
▼
You move purchased items from vendor tents to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off area using garden carts. You will be assigned a vendor color group that corresponds to a section of the site map.
- Your captain will assign your vendor color group at check-in — these are the vendors you support
- Walk your assigned vendor rows and collect items placed behind tents at your color flag
- Load items into a garden cart and bring the full cart to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off drop-off point
- For heavy items: do not attempt to move them yourself — notify Kelly Carter’s team and they will handle it
- Keep carts on the road at all times — do not take them off-road
Vendor color groups:
Red
Orange
Blue
Green
Pick-Up / Drop-Off Team
▼
You receive garden carts from the Transport Team, move items into the numbered, color-coded grid, and reunite guests with their purchases when they pull up.
- Receive full garden carts from the Transport Team and place items into the correct grid row — the row is determined by the guest’s wristband number range
- The grid is organized by number and color: wristband numbers 1–400 correspond to one color row, 401–800 to the next, and so on up to 2,500 — the color helps you quickly spot the right section
- When a guest pulls up, ask for their Buyer ID number
- Use their wristband color to find the right grid row, and their ID number to retrieve their specific purchases
- Help load purchases into the vehicle
- For heavy items, direct the guest to Kelly Carter’s tent — his team will assist
Pick-Up / Drop-Off Traffic Control
▼
You manage vehicle flow into the Pick-Up/Drop-Off area — keeping traffic safe and frustration-free, especially when many cars arrive at once.
- Direct vehicles into the correct Pick-Up/Drop-Off lanes
- Prevent blockages and manage queuing — expect heavy traffic from 8 AM through noon
- Keep pedestrian pathways clear from moving vehicles at all times
- Communicate blockages or issues to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off team immediately
Tram Driver
▼
You drive a golf cart between the parking lot and the event entrance, helping guests who need a lift both arriving and departing.
- Shuttle guests from their parked cars to the event entrance on arrival
- Pick up guests heading back to their cars when they are ready to leave
- When picking someone up, remind them to note the color of the nearby parking flag — it helps them find their spot again
- Be friendly and informative — guests will ask you questions about the event
- Drive safely at all times, especially near pedestrians
Vendor Ambassador
▼
You support our vendors throughout the day — delivering meals and helping with any supply needs so they can focus on what they do best.
- Deliver vendor meals at the appropriate times during your shift
- Help vendors with supply needs — stakes, tape, and materials are at the vendor supply tent behind the Hospitality Tent
- Be a friendly, knowledgeable presence that vendors can turn to with questions
- Will become part of the Vendor Transport Team to help move purchases from vendor tents to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off area. Please see job description above for more details.
- Escalate any vendor concerns to your captain
Volunteer Lounge Captain
▼
You take care of the people who are taking care of everyone else. The Volunteer Chalet is where 150 volunteers eat, rest, and recharge throughout the day.
- Keep snacks and coffee stocked at the Volunteer Chalet throughout the day
- Set up and put out volunteer lunch starting at noon
- Coordinate with other captains so volunteers rotate through lunch without creating coverage gaps
- Keep the chalet clean and welcoming
Volunteer Tent Assistant
▼
You run volunteer check-in alongside Virginia Gold, making sure every volunteer arrives informed, equipped, and ready to go.
- Check in arriving volunteers and confirm their role and shift assignment
- Distribute optional t-shirts, aprons, and any role materials
- Answer orientation questions and direct volunteers to their area
- Keep the tent organized throughout your shift
Understanding the full guest journey helps every volunteer answer questions confidently — especially “where do I pick up my purchases?” and “how does the wristband work?”
The Guest Journey
1
Guest arrives and parks
Guests park in the lot. Colored parking flags mark sections. Tram drivers offer golf cart rides to the event entrance. Guests should note their parking flag color so they can find their car on the way out.
2
Welcome Tent — ticket scan and wristband
Every guest enters through the Welcome Tent. Greeters scan their ticket and issue a numbered, colored wristband — whether or not they plan to buy anything. The wristband confirms check-in and, for purchasing guests, tells the Pick-Up/Drop-Off team which grid row holds their items. Guides and programs are handed out here.
3
Guest shops across 49 vendors
Guests browse rare plants and garden antiques. They don’t need to carry anything — purchases can be left with the vendor. The Hospitality Tent has breakfast for Underwriter and Early Buyer ticket holders, the book signing, and shade tables. Some vendors accept cash only, some card only — no ATM on site. Children under 12 are free and must be with an adult.
4
Purchase made — item placed behind vendor tent
When a guest buys something, the vendor tags the item with the buyer’s ID and places it behind their tent at their color flag. The guest is free to keep shopping.
5
Transport Team collects by vendor color group
Each transport volunteer is assigned a vendor color group (red, orange, blue, or green) matching the site map. They walk their assigned rows, load tagged items into garden carts, bring full carts to Pick-Up/Drop-Off, swap for an empty cart, and continue. Allow about 30–45 minutes from purchase to Pick-Up/Drop-Off. Heavy items are flagged for Kelly Carter’s team to move directly to their area.
6
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Team places items in the grid
The Pick-Up/Drop-Off team takes items from arriving garden carts and places them in the correct numbered, color-coded row. The grid runs from 1–2,500. Each range of numbers corresponds to a color row — the color makes it fast to find the right section when a guest arrives.
7
Guest pulls car to Pick-Up/Drop-Off
When ready to leave, the guest drives to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off lane. A volunteer asks for their Buyer ID number, uses their wristband number to find the right color row, retrieves their items, and helps load the car. For heavy or shipped items, the guest is directed to Kelly Carter’s tent.
Wristband Numbers and the Grid
Every guest’s wristband has a number. That number tells you exactly which row in the Pick-Up/Drop-Off grid holds their purchases. The color on the wristband matches the color of that row — so you can spot the right section at a glance.
| Wristband numbers | Grid row color |
|---|---|
| 1 – 400 | Purple |
| 401 – 800 | Green |
| 801 – 1,200 | Red |
| 1,201 – 1,600 | Orange |
| 1,601 – 2,000 | Cyan/Blue |
| 2,001 – 2,500 | Yellow |
Two systems — don’t mix them up Wristband colors and numbers tell you which Pick-Up/Drop-Off row a guest’s items are in. Vendor color groups (red, orange, blue, green) tell transport volunteers which vendors they are responsible for. These are separate.
Site Maps
Vendor Layout — Color Groups
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Grid & Transport Area
Safety
Every main tent — Welcome, Volunteers, Hospitality, Vendors, Pick-Up/Drop-Off, Volunteer Chalet, and Project SAGE — has a copy of the safety plan. If an issue arises, find someone with a purple nametag or a purple ribbon on their badge. They are trained to help or escalate. For anything urgent, contact Nichole directly at 917-494-7943.
Common questions from guests and fellow volunteers — with the answers you need.
Guest questions
“Do I have to carry my purchases all day?” ▼
Not at all. Leave your item with the vendor after purchasing — they’ll tag it and place it behind their tent. When you’re ready to leave, pull your car to the Pick-Up/Drop-Off area and give a volunteer your Buyer ID number. They’ll find your items in the grid and load your car.
“How long until my purchases are at Pick-Up?” ▼
About 30–45 minutes from when you leave the item with the vendor. Give yourself that window before heading to your car.
“Is there a way to get back to my car?” ▼
Yes — we have golf cart trams running between the event and the parking area all day. Ask any volunteer to point you toward a tram. When you parked, remember the color of the nearby parking flag — it’ll help you find your car on the way out.
“Do vendors take credit cards?” ▼
It varies by vendor — some accept only cash, some only cards. There is no ATM on site, so bring cash if you want to be safe.
“Can I bring my dog?” ▼
No pets are allowed on site — this applies to everyone, no exceptions.
“Where are the restrooms?” ▼
Behind the Hospitality Tent — including handicap-accessible facilities. There is also a water bubbler near the Hospitality Tent.
“Where is the book signing?” ▼
In the Hospitality Tent (behind the Welcome Tent), from 9:00 to 10:00 AM with Oblong Books.
“I bought something heavy — what do I do?” ▼
Let the vendor know when you purchase. The Transport Team will flag it for Kelly Carter’s team, who will move it to their area. You can also visit the Kelly Carter tent near Pick-Up/Drop-Off with any shipping questions.
“Does my child need a ticket or wristband?” ▼
Children under 12 are free and do not need a wristband. They must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
“Why do I need a wristband if I’m not buying anything?” ▼
The wristband confirms you’ve checked in at the Welcome Tent. Everyone with a ticket receives one — it helps our team know who is on site.
Volunteer questions
“Where do I check in?” ▼
The Volunteer Tent, outside the Welcome Tent near Pick-Up/Drop-Off. Check in with Virginia Gold, Project SAGE’s Director of Client Services. If you’re assigned to the Project SAGE tent, you can go directly there.
“When do I eat lunch?” ▼
Volunteer lunch is available at the Chalet starting at noon. Your captain will let you know when you can head over — teams rotate so no area is left without coverage.
“Who do I contact if something goes wrong?” ▼
Find someone with a purple nametag or a purple ribbon on their badge first — they’re equipped to help or escalate. For anything urgent, contact Nichole Reyes directly at 917-494-7943.
Tap each item to check it off as you go.
The night before
- Confirm your shift time — it’s in your confirmation email. Contact Nichole at tradesecrets@project-sage.org if you need it resent.
- Read your full role description (linked in the Your Role tab)
- Check the weather and pack layers — bring rain gear just in case
- Review the site map in the Volunteer Portal
Morning of
- Pack a water bottle and wear comfortable, wet-tolerant shoes
- Leave early — traffic picks up significantly at 7:00 and 9:00 AM
- Park in the overflow/vendor lot
When you arrive
- Check in at the Volunteer Tent with Virginia Gold (Project SAGE tent volunteers: go directly to your tent)
- Pick up your optional t-shirt and apron
- Find your captain or team lead and confirm your assignment
- Locate the safety plan in your tent and note where purple-ribbon people are stationed
During your shift
- Stay in your assigned area unless directed otherwise by your captain
- Escalate guest issues to your captain — you don’t need to solve everything alone
- Wait for your captain’s go-ahead before heading to lunch
- Brief your replacement at shift handoff
- Remind guests kindly if you see a pet — no animals on site
We are so grateful for you.
Trade Secrets exists because of people like you who show up, roll up their sleeves, and give their time to something bigger than themselves. This event raises vital funds for Project SAGE and the people they serve — and none of it happens without this team.