Whether it involves taking tickets, directing drivers in the parking areas or operating an ice-cream cart, the volunteer opportunities at this summer’s Mountain Madness Air Show are plentiful.

Organizers have lined up about 500 people, or half of the 1,000 volunteers needed to help with various venues at the two-day show Aug. 30-31 at Glacier Park International Airport.

“Volunteers have the chance to help make the 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show the largest and most exhilarating air show in Montana history,” Air Show Director Chris Parson said. “It’s also an opportunity to give back to our community and ensure we continue to enjoy air shows in years to come.”

Air-show volunteers will earn a portion of parking or concession commissions and that money will be donated to help a charity of the volunteer’s choice, Parson said. Nonprofit groups can organize teams to staff a concession stand or parking lot throughout the weekend.

Among the nonprofit organizations that already have signed up to help are Coats for Kids, Glacier National Park Volunteers, Flathead Valley Community College Veterans Association, Big Sky 4-Wheelers, Christ Church Episcopal, Love INC of North Flathead, Glacier Kiwanis Club, Flathead 4-H, Glacier Institute, Flathead Marines, Flathead Kennel Club, Kalispell Lions Club, Flathead Area Young Professionals, Gorilla Boosters, Dream Adaptive Recreation, Goodwill, Glacier High School DECA Club, Creston Fire Department, Bigfork Knights of Columbus, Glacier Tide Baseball, Kalispell Downtown Association, Abbie Shelter, Sweet Adelines, Bigfork Ladies Service Club and Montana Mavericks.

 The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, producer of the show, is seeking about 50 volunteers, preferably from one or two organizations, to manage parking. Volunteers who participate on the parking team will receive additional financial compensation above what other volunteer positions offer, to benefit their charity of choice.

Other areas where volunteers are needed include food and beverage concessions, ticket scanners, ice-cream carts, “floaters” to help wherever needed and survey takers.

 In addition to helping area nonprofits, volunteers will receive free admission to one day of the show as well as complimentary food and beverages during the event.

Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and available for eight to 10 hours on both Aug. 30 and 31. The chamber hopes to fill most volunteer opportunities by June 1.

 The 2014 Mountain Madness Air Show features the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Chamber officials anticipate about 30,000 spectators over the two days from the Flathead Valley and areas such as Great Falls, Missoula, Spokane and Alberta, Canada.

 For more information about volunteering for the Mountain Madness Air Show, visit www.montanaairshow.com or call the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce at 758-2803.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.