By STEVE KNIGHT/The Lufkin News

Summer is usually a slower time for the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, but they are in need of volunteers to help with upcoming events.

Tara Watson-Watkins, executive director of the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she is looking for volunteers to help with events such as Pineywoods Purgatory and Lufkin’s Bistro.

“We’re trying to get key people in place to run different events,” Watson-Watkins said. “We’re looking for people who want to have a good time and also enjoy the event as well — people who want to give back to the community.”

Positions include ticket takers, registration workers and entrance monitors.

Volunteers also are needed for a new event — the Yule Love Lufkin Festival is scheduled to take place Dec. 18-21.

Activities for the inaugural festival include a Friday night tree-lighting ceremony, outdoor Christmas movies, an ice-skating rink, a human snow globe for family Christmas photos, breakfast with Santa and a gingerbread-house-building contest, all showcasing the lighted pavilion outside the Pitser Garrison Convention Center.

“We’re trying to get the word out in places around the state to bring in visitors,” she said. “We’re also working on sponsorship packages for Yule Love Lufkin. I think we may be crazy trying to pull in new festivals, but at the same time, it’s lots of fun.”

To volunteer or for more information about the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit visitlufkin.com or call 633-0349 or 633-0359.