The best festival in the west is upon us! This Thursday drones of loyalists will make the ascent to the Whitehorse Amphitheater in Darrington, Washington for the 11th straight year. Those in the know have experienced a diverse spectacle put on by Flowmotion that has seen iconic performances in past years by the likes of Presidents of the United States of America, Bill Frissell, Buckethead, Michael Shrieve, Critters Buggin, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Hot Buttered Rum, The Mother Hips, Jackie Greene, Tony Furtado, Tea Leaf Green and the March Fourth Marching Band.

In fact, it’s beginnings in Sedro-Wooley were MC’d by Blake Lewis (aka B-Shorty) and Vicci Martinez has been a regular staple in the line-up throughout the years. In true festival spirit, there have also been band iterations from members of Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, The Motet and others, with the Everyone Orchestra conjuring up some improvisational jams with special guests galore year in and year out (this year featuring Marco Benevento).

However, it isn’t just the music that makes the Summer Meltdown so special. The festival grounds lend itself so greatly to a tight-knit community due to everything being in such close proximity. There are no long treks back and forth to camp, and it is THE most kid-friendly music festival around. The Little Seahorse Academy gets kids involved by encouraging them to try out every instrument under the sun, and also has a special MAIN Stage performance reserved for the little ones on Sunday. A kid’s talent show, parade and massive play area add to the numerous things that will keep them happily part of the experience.

This year again showcases Flowmotion as festival hosts, with an added Rootbeer Flowt Party that will introduce people to their newly recorded album for the first time (produced by Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips). Other acts include ALO, DJ Logic, Marco Benevento, Clinton Fearon, Particle, New Monsoon, Juno What?!, Orgone, Wassabi Collective, Mike Dillon’s Go-Go-Jungle, Sandy Dickerson, Big Light, among many others.

So…get your tickets if you haven’t already, leave the glass bottles at home and get your butts to the Meltdown for some soulful cleansing of the mind and spirit. We go on at 3:00 PM on Saturday the 13th on the Garden Stage (conveniently located where the booze is, and for Rib and Hunter’s 2nd Meltdown performance).