The city is expecting a diverse group of 1,200 volunteers ranging in age, background and state for the three-day celebration of all things Irish that includes music, games, shopping and more.

"Another cool thing is the diversity of the volunteers who are on our team are just about from every walk of life and every culture, yet they're coming together to celebrate something Irish," said Christine Nardecchia, Dublin's volunteer services administrator.

According to Nardecchia, several volunteers have applied already, but the big push will come as soon as set-up begins in Coffman Park.

"In the next two weeks we expect to receive another 200 volunteers," she said. "Typically when people see the tents going up our phone starts ringing off the hook."

With a volunteer orientation slated for Saturday and another to follow on July 28, Nardecchia said the city has no solid deadline for volunteers to apply.

"We don't have any hard deadlines because with 1,200 people working to make this happen we do have cancellations. We need people up to the Wednesday and Thursday before hand," she said.

The city expects 900 volunteers to attend volunteer orientation despite an 80 percent volunteer retention rate.

"We're seeing teens who volunteered at age 12 now coming back after college as adults to volunteer for this event," Nardecchia said. "I think it's a real testament to the festival that they come back to volunteer."

Others get hooked before moving away from Dublin or merely from visiting, Nardecchia said. This year's volunteers come from eight states and two volunteers are from Canada.

Families have also made a tradition of volunteering together at the festival.

"Another thing we really work on is a way for families to work together," Nardecchia said. "Each year I see an increase in all the family packets we put out. We even have a couple of families, who the mom, dad and kids work together in the Wee Folk area."

Along with the 1,200 volunteers are 800 people from local organizations who staff their own booths throughout the three-day festival and get a percentage of beverage sales as a fundraiser.

"It's a great way for these organizations to volunteer together to get visibility and raise money," Nardecchia said.

Moira Bauman, a Dublin Women's Club member, has volunteered at a booth run by her homeowner's association for seven years, but is volunteering at the water, soda and beer booth for the DWC this year.

"My husband and I both do it because it's so fun," she said. "You get to talk to so many people."

Local corporations such as Cardinal Health, who help sponsor the festival, also send volunteers to the event.

"Sponsors have staff volunteer because it gives them an opportunity to get into the fabric of the community," said community relations specialist Mary Jo DiSalvo.

While volunteers offer an invaluable service at the festival, they also give by enjoying festivities after their shift and through feedback.

"Feedback after the festival is some of the most valuable we get. We can't be in all places at once, but our volunteers can, so we look closely at feedback," Nardecchia said. "They're great ambassadors and they contribute financially. They get a pass to the festival so they support our vendors, sponsors and entertainers. They're supporting the festival in more ways than one."

For more information on the Irish festival or to volunteer, look online at dublinirishfestival.org.