FreeFest was a huge success. There were various activities to keep the audience entertained, such as the Kyocera Lucky Layoff Lounge, where attendees could play games and win various prizes from Converse shoes to Virgin Mobile cell phones.

Every performance was a hit and attendance turned out to be what was predicted: a total of 35,000 people. As the day progressed, more and more volunteers showed up to catch the last few hours of the bash.

For those staying at the Sheraton Hotel, the location of FreeFest was convenient as it was only a ten-minute walk away. Everything about this event was well organized, including accommodation, and it was the fastest 12 hours I’ve ever experienced.

Beginning tomorrow afternoon, West Coasters will be heading to the Dulles Airport via megabus to catch their Virgin America flight back to LAX (with internet connection, don’t forget). The good part about this is most of us can, and I’m sure will, sleep in.

Our roving correspondent took these great shots of the Girl Talk show…stay tuned for more from FreeFest…

We interviewed Chuck D from Public Enemy at FreeFest and asked him a few questions relating to his travel life:

What can you not leave home without?

My MacPro…totally cannot leave without it

Where is your favorite place to go when you have time off?

My favorite place to go is the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System…traveling anywhere by car throughout the United States. Sometimes road trips to nowhere are just as important as road trips to somewhere.

What’s the craziest situation you’ve experienced on the road as a band?

We’ve been on 66 tours around the world in 55 countries, I think the craziest situation was coming into a city with 5-6 flights and all of them being off schedule.

Where would you like to go as a band that you haven’t been before?

South Africa

What’s the best part of going on tour?

Getting together with my guys who live in 10 different parts of the United States and playing music.

Richard Branson and Flava Flav guest bartended at The RE*Generation Karma Bar at FreeFest. $1 of every drink collected benefits homeless youth organizations. It was quite a frenzy at the bar front before Branson and Flava Flav made their presence. As soon as they arrived, everyone went wild. Everyone was desperate for a photo with the guest bartenders. Volunteers have been looking forward to getting a beer – and a photo opp – with these two megastars all day.

It’s halfway through the festivities and we’re yet to hear from Weezer, Public Enemy and Blink 182.

Stay tuned for an interview from Chuck of Public Enemy…

With the excitement in the air that Branson would show up, he arrived with enthusiasm to personally thank all the volunteers (or at least the ones who knew about his arrival ahead of time).

There was such a rush of adrenaline when Sir Branson showed up….the time went by so fast. As he walked through the sea of volunteers, everyone took pictures of him and with him.

All in all, it’s a great day here at FreeFest…there’s music all around and volunteers from East to West enjoying themselves. To receive the latest on FreeFest, follow us on twitter.com/HipCompass. Looking forward to more of Sir Richard Branson and great music!