Thousands are anticipated to flock to a rock concert in Des Moines in early April, although no one knows who the performer is and no tickets will be sold.

“Right now, about 2,000 people signed up to go to the show before we even know who’s playing,” said Katie Petersen, ISU Ground Team leader for the 10,000 Hours Show and senior in plant health and protection.

First held in Iowa City in 2004, the 10,000 Hours Show rewards volunteers who complete at least 10 hours of service with a concert in celebration of their efforts. The only way to gain admission to the show is by volunteering in the community.

“It was started as an idea that these two college guys who liked music and liked volunteering and getting people involved in the community,” said Rachel Mullen, ISU Ground Team assistant leader and senior in English.

The 10,000 Hours Show volunteer fair, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union, will feature 30 organizations. The event will allow people to coordinate and sign up for volunteer activities throughout the Ames community.

Event organizers are trying to involve as many people as possible in the 10,000 Hours Show, Mullen said.

“We want to get as many people as we can – there really is no limit to it,” she said. “It really is a win-win situation.”

This year’s concert is scheduled for April 8 at Iowa Events Center Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, although the performer has not been finalized. Past performers include Ben Folds in 2004 and Guster in 2005.

“We don’t know who is performing yet,” Mullen said. “We are still working out negotiations with the bands, but we should know really, really soon.”

Petersen said the concert is financed primarily from area universities and community philanthropic organizations. This year, the 10,000 Hours Show has spread to high schools and colleges across Iowa, with more volunteers than ever before, she said.

“Because [participation] has expanded to so many different geographies across Iowa, it’s really gone up,” she said.

Local organizers have been planning the 2006 campaign since last August, Petersen said.

“We really just got started the first week of school and have been going at it all year,” she said.

After a limited campaign at Iowa State in 2005, this is the first year organizers believe local volunteers could accumulate 10,000 hours of service.

Emily Fifield, senior in history, helps coordinate volunteer opportunities with area non-profit organizations. She said last year’s campaign laid the framework for a more ambitious effort this year.

“Last year, we got started in February and it was really just laying the foundation for the whole thing,” Fifield said. “We now have stronger ties to organizations in the community; it’s spreading a lot faster now.”