I was going to try to write about the whole day of the Meltdown.  It’s pretty much impossible, especially since I spent much of the day running around maniacally.  So a few thoughts, and then some links:

• Our best estimate is that at least 3,500 people came through.  Even though it got a little cozy at times, everyone was super friendly, happy, and fun!
• Everyone seemed to like the addition of the third performance area (the Chill Room).  Storytelling, puppets, cartooning, singing — what’s not to love?
• Hula hooping rocks.
• Trombones are awesome.  If you’re thinking about putting a sax solo in a song, replace it with a trombone solo.  It’ll probably be better.
• Sponsors: You rule.  Yankee Candle, Comcast, WEBS – America’s Yarn Store, Hampshire Gymnastics, River Valley Market — they, and the vendors (who also rule!) are how the event was free.  Thank you.
• Jarrett Krosoczka is amazing.  He put together an insane lineup of authors and illustrators.
• Our performers: crazy good.  Thanks to, in order of appearance: Dog on Fleas, Rona Leventhal, Maria Sangiolo, Royal Order of Chords and Keys, Alastair Moock, Tom Knight & Amy Dawn Kotel, Mister G, Mariana Iranzi, Jay Mankita, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Ratboy Jr., Keith Munslow, Uncle Rock & the Playthings, Marcy Gregoire, Flannery Brothers, Laura Daisybee, and the Deedle Deedle Dees (who, as usual, destroyed) (in a good way).  I stand by my assertion that there will not be a better lineup of family music anywhere this year.

Some links:

• Great photos from the day are over at WRSI.com.  Or, maybe easier, at WRSI’s Facebook page.
• I’ve posted my photos on this (public) Facebook album.
• Dadnabbit came to the event and posted a nice overview.
• Out With The Kids came and has a whole series of posts.

And I’ve put all of the videos I am aware of from the event into one playlist; watch it here (or go to it here):

If you know of any videos or photos I don’t have up here, let me know!

Finally: Thanks to everyone who came, laughed, danced, ate, drank, bounced, hula hooped, shopped, made a weird wax thing with your hand, or just walked around, mouth agape.  I hope you had a ton of fun, and we’ll see you next year!  (And before then!)

Whoa, that sneaked up on me.  Secret Agent 23 Skidoo will bring his ridiculously great hip hop for the whole family to the Iron Horse on Sunday, April 11.  Details at our Facebook event page; you can buy advance tickets — including the family four-pack for only $30, advance only! — at IHEG.com.

I’ll be doing a big ol’ wrap-up post about the Meltdown soon, but the lineup for the Green River Festival, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, was announced on the station today.  As I’ve alluded to before, the festival is adding a family stage this year, for the first time ever, and we’re producing it.

The area will be called the River’s Meltdown Camp, and, like the Meltdown, it’s more than just music.  I’ve still got at least a couple of acts to finalize, but here’s where we stand right now:

Music from:

• Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
• The Nields
• Deedle Deedle Dees
• Mister G
• Starfish
• Ratboy Jr.
• Marcy Gregoire & the Under the Tree Music Company
• Flannery Brothers
• Alexandra & the Good Batch
• School for the Dead
• Royal Order of Chords and Keys

Plus, on Saturday night after dusk, we’ll have the Meltdown Stay Up Late Sessions, featuring bands made up of local kids and teens, including bands from June Millington’s IMA’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Programs for Girls and Young Women.

In addition to the music, we’ll have great activities from local craftspeople, puppet making by Under the Tree Arts and a puppet parade, songwriting workshops, and more!

The main and dance stages have a crazy good lineup too, including:

• Cake
• Allen Toussaint
• Calexico
• Fancy Trash
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• David Wax Museum
• Unit 7
• Rusty Belle
• Sweetback Sisters
• Joy Kills Sorrow
• Anais Mitchell
• Low Anthem
• Lake Street Drive
• Felice Brothers
• And so many more.

The cheapest place to get tickets is WRSI.com, for a limited time.

One last reminder: Saturday, 10 to 4, JFK Middle School, a ridiculous music and author lineup.  Be there.

Monte, who does the morning show and is Program Director on WRSI, is starting his Campout for Cancer Connection this morning.  He’ll be camping out on the courthouse lawn in downtown Northampton until he raises $20,000.  Also, he hates camping.

Cancer Connection does amazing work supporting people with cancer — and their families — and I wish we’d had it in Fayetteville last summer when my dad was diagnosed and dying.  While we got great services from the local hospice folks, Cancer Connection goes well beyond that.  To learn more about the group, visit their website.

We’ve donated in past years, but since last summer, it’s become even more personally important to us.  Ella and Liam each kicked in $10 this year, and we donated on top of that.

You should too.  Go to WRSI.com and click on “Donate Now.” (And you can click on “Listen Live” to hear the broadcast.)

We had a ton of fun at the Iron Horse today with Gustafer Yellowgold.  As always, the show was entrancing, and we got to hear a little bit about the next release — you can look forward to more from your favorite yellow friend in early 2011.  Whole new story, ten new songs…whee!

Here’s a little part of a song I like a ton, “Quite Easily Lost”: