// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
From Florida to the Fleadh: Meet the volunteers keeping the festival flowing
Addison McGowan from Florida says the Fleadh has been "so much fun"
More than 1,300 people aged from 17 to 80 will be giving up their time this week - for free - to volunteer during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Music Festival of Ireland).
Easy to spot, in their yellow bucket hats and yellow T-shirts., they'll be stationed throughout the city centre to help with things like directions and advice.
Among them is Addison McGowan, who travelled 1,490 miles to volunteer.
It follows a recruitment drive from Volunteer Now, along with Belfast City Council, and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of Ireland.
The eight-day festival, which runs until 9 August, is the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture.
McGowan is part of a study abroad group from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Volunteering as a welcome ambassador at the Fleadh, Belfast is the first place she has visited outside of the USA.
She's developed a new-found a love for traditional Irish music saying: "It's awesome. I love seeing all the instruments, I love the music."
"I've had the most fun in all the pubs getting the atmosphere, we don't really get that in America.