The stage may be set for Fredericton to host the East Coast Music Awards, but behind the scenes the festival is still in need of more helping hands, say organizers.

More than 600 people have already signed up to help out from Feb. 7-10 as Fredericton hosts the music conference and festival for the first time. But organizers told CBC News they are still looking for dozens of people willing to help with transportation.

About 24 more people are needed to fill shifts driving delegates and performers around town, said Kevin Cormier, transportation co-ordinator for the ECMAs.

"While you're not exactly in a music venue, you are still part of the experience," Cormier said. "Something that's really contagious is that atmosphere and that environment of people moving and good music and good times."

Approximately 2,500 delegates, including performers, producers and music industry professionals are expected to descend on Fredericton for the event. They'll be joined by fans looking to catch some of the region's best acts and up-and-comers.

Scheduled performers include the Barra MacNeils, Lennie Gallant, Joel Plaskett Emergency and the Trews.

All the volunteer chauffeurs will be provided with a rental car, gas and insurance for their shifts, which would involve transporting people to and from the airport, hotels and venues.

"It could be a delegate from Japan or Australia or it could be your favorite performer — who knows," said Chris Gosse, an ECMA volunteer co-ordinator.

About 12 more people are also required to act as tour guides on the free shuttle service that Fredericton Tourism is offering between ECMA venues, Gosse said.

It is the first time that the touring shuttle bus will be offered during the East Coast music festival. Buses will travel around the downtown core stopping at venues and hotels every 20 minutes while tour guides tell festival-goers about shows, restaurants and sights in the New Brunswick capital.

'Last heave of support' needed

In January organizers had turned away volunteers and started a waiting-list to fill potential future positions.

At the time the organizers said they already had confirmed more than 550 experienced volunteers from other city music festivals and ECMA regulars who travel to volunteer at the festival location each year.

"We kind of underestimated the amount of people that we needed," Gosse said. "So we're kind of looking for that last heave of support. But we're sure that Fredericton will step up for that."

Volunteer Phyllis Prendergast said she got involved with the awards because it is a community event.

"I thought I have to be involved in this because it takes an entire community to pull something like this off," Prendergast said.

Though filling in the remaining volunteer spots would make the festival ride smoother in the city, even without them the show will go on, Cormier said.

The East Coast Music Awards, Festival and Conference honours the best in music from the Atlantic region.

Events and concerts will be hosted on stages throughout Fredericton during the four-day event with a special concert celebrating the event's 20th anniversary taking place Saturday.

The celebration ends with the awards gala at the Aitken Centre on Sunday.