Why Hiring Marshals and Stewards Is Essential for Summer Festivals

As summer approaches and festival season kicks into gear, organisers everywhere are finalising plans to deliver safe, successful, and enjoyable events. While music line-ups, food vendors, and ticket sales get much of the spotlight, there’s one crucial element that often works quietly behind the scenes: marshals and stewards.

These on-the-ground professionals play a vital role in keeping crowds safe, supporting attendees, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. In this blog, we’ll explore exactly what marshals and stewards do, why they’re essential to your summer festival, and the benefits they bring to both organisers and visitors.

What Is a Marshal or Steward?

A marshal or steward is part of the event staff responsible for maintaining safety, guiding guests, and supporting the operational flow of an event.

Steward
Stewards are typically focused on customer service, crowd control, and general safety. They help visitors with directions, check wristbands, manage queues, and keep watch for any developing issues. You’ll often see them at entrances, exits, and high-traffic areas.

Marshal
Marshals tend to have more responsibility and may be involved in emergency response, access control, or supervising stewards. They are often trained to work in more specialised zones or coordinate with security teams and emergency services.

Together, marshals and stewards help create a safe, well-organised environment that enhances the experience for everyone attending your event.

Why Are Marshals and Stewards Important at Summer Festivals?

Summer festivals are high-energy environments that attract large crowds. With open spaces, music, alcohol, and ever-changing conditions, they also come with a unique set of risks. Marshals and stewards help manage these challenges proactively.

1. Crowd Management
From gates to stages, marshals and stewards help control the flow of people to prevent overcrowding and bottlenecks. They ensure queues move efficiently, keep access routes clear, and help maintain public order.

2. Safety and Emergency Response
Trained staff are ready to react to incidents such as medical emergencies, fights, or fire risks. They can help evacuate areas, guide emergency services to the right spot, and keep the public calm and informed.

3. Visitor Support
Attendees often need help finding toilets, stages, lost property, or friends. Friendly, visible stewards improve the customer experience by answering questions and offering support.

4. Access Control
Controlling who goes where is key at any event. Marshals and stewards are responsible for checking tickets, verifying credentials, and ensuring only authorised individuals enter restricted or VIP areas.

5. Incident Prevention
Sometimes, simply having trained staff on-site is enough to prevent problems before they start. Their presence deters anti-social behaviour and helps identify potential issues early.

Benefits of Hiring Marshals and Stewards
For Organisers:
Peace of Mind: Know your event is in safe hands with trained, experienced staff.

Legal Compliance: Most councils require adequate stewarding and safety planning before granting licenses.

Better Reputation: A well-run, safe event leads to positive reviews, repeat attendance, and strong word-of-mouth.

Insurance Support: Having properly trained stewards and marshals in place is often a condition of event insurance policies.

For Visitors:
Improved Safety: Guests feel more secure when professional staff are visibly present.

Faster Support: Whether someone is lost or in need of medical attention, help is close at hand.

Positive Experience: Friendly stewards enhance the overall festival vibe, making people feel welcome and looked after.

How Many Stewards or Marshals Do You Need?
The right number depends on the size, nature, and risk level of your event. A small community festival might need one steward per 100 guests, while a high-capacity music festival could require more.

Generally speaking, you should:

Conduct a risk assessment early in the planning process.

Follow local council and licensing authority guidelines.

Work with a professional security and staffing company to calculate the right ratio.

When Should You Hire Event Marshals and Stewards?
Ideally, you should book your staff at least 6–8 weeks before your event. This allows time for:

Site visits and planning

Briefings and training specific to your event

Integration with your other staff and contractors

Leaving it too late could mean missing out on qualified, experienced personnel—especially during the busy summer season.

FAQs About Marshals and Stewards
What qualifications do marshals and stewards need?
Most will have training in spectator safety, such as an NVQ Level 2 Certificate. Some may also hold an SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence if their role involves more security-focused duties.

Can marshals or stewards make arrests?
No, but they can manage situations, de-escalate conflicts, and contact the police when necessary. Licensed security staff may have additional authority depending on their role.

What areas do they cover at a festival?
They can be positioned at:

Entrances and exits

Stages and viewing areas

Car parks and transport zones

VIP or backstage zones

Toilets, bars, and food stalls

Are marshals and stewards the same as security guards?
Not exactly. While there is overlap, security guards (typically SIA licensed) focus more on enforcement and protection, while stewards and marshals focus on support, guidance, and safety monitoring.

Invest in a Safer Festival
Hiring marshals and stewards isn’t just a legal or logistical box to tick—it’s a vital investment in the success, safety, and reputation of your summer festival. They’re the friendly faces your guests turn to when they need help, and the calm professionals who act fast when things don’t go to plan.

A well-organised team of marshals and stewards can mean the difference between a chaotic event and one that runs smoothly, leaving everyone with great memories and a reason to return next year.

Need Professional Event Staff?
If you’re planning a summer event and want experienced, reliable marshals and stewards to keep things running safely, get in touch with our team today. We provide fully trained personnel tailored to your event’s specific needs—so you can focus on the fun, while we handle the safety.