Sorry for not posting on Thursday, but the action kicked off and I didn't get home until after midnight the last two nights.
Thursday morning started with setting up the Pavilion Tent and Canopy to make the "Vermont Campaign for Liberty Theater." Pictures to be posted on the meet up group when we get home. Next, we went our seperate ways, each family member following their own bliss. I went to a roleplaying workshop called "Pimp (practice makes perfect) my activism". This course covered a variety of different situation and scenarios in which an activist is confronted by the authorities and how to handle it. It was fun, challenging, and thought-provoking. I even returned for a second round of the course on Friday and got a whole new presceptive on it. Can't wait to share what I learned/discovered.
Then we went to a low buget/no budget marketing course. Unfortunately, the instructor was unable to make it due to being "unavoidably detained" in New York. So we went to the vendors booths and silent auction. Everything from silver coins to real estate agencies were there. Books, bumper stickers, rugs, hats, guns, t-shirts, and you name it was on display and for sale. Following that we went to the opening ceremonies. the picnic pavillion can hold one hundred people easy. The crowd in attendence was overflow and standing room only. The speakers (including special VTC4L friend, Chris Lawless) were energized as were the crowd.
In the afternoon it was a mobile grab fest as we walked around talking with anyone and everyone. One of the things you get use to at Porc Fest is perfect strangers walking up and hugging or giving you a handshake out of the blue. They then introduce themselves and your conversation is off. I am not exaggerating when I say that the atmosphere has a vibe about it. A sense of safety and belonging fueled by the knowledge that for this one little period in the year, you are surrounded by liberty minded people who share your ideals. I often say that in any Free State Project event, all attendees enter the safest place in the USA. Open carry is the rule and respect for the property of others is more than an expectation.
Thursday night Maria and I spent fine tuning the Theater and experimenting with the sound/projection system we brought. We also engaged many people at the site encouraging them to attend the movies. We did take some time to attend the Free Talk Live Broadcast in the Television room and got another chance to see internet radio in action. Already, the liberty- oriented online radio has exploded to become a series of networks. New Hampshire Liberty Radio is one example with programming coming out of New Hampshire (three regular daily programs and two programs that switch off and on.) and live feeds from national liberty broadcasters. Check it out at www.nhlibertyradio.com
On Friday I attended a Fully Informed Jury seminar with a panel of four activists who were reporting on their successes and future plans for community outreach. I then did my second session of Pimp my Activistism. I also had a long and enlightening talk with the Legislative Director for the NH Liberty Alliance. We talked about the differences between the workings of Vermont's and New Hampshire's legislative process and their method of creating legislative report cards. We then had a leave the campground briefly to drop my daughter off for an activism minicamp down in Randolph. When we got back Maria and I raced like mad to pop enough popcorn for the movies. When we arrived at the "theater" Hunter Melville was camped out front, basking in the aura. We talked for a while with each other and passers-by, and then when the sun set, we started the film, The Fountainhead. Three of our fellow campers joined us. All three were young (late teens and early twenties) and were very into the film.
That is one thing you immediately note about FSP gatherings. The demographics for the Liberty Movement in New Hampshire is a majority of young to middle aged people, almost an even split relative to the sexes, and a significant number (at least 25%) brought their children. This isn't a movement coming out of the nursing home. It is a movement with its roots firmly planted in the future. With their youth, knowledge, energy, and committment, it is hard not to believe that the future belongs to them, a future of liberty.
Now I have to run. I got to attend a seminar entitled "A world without Courts". I think I might have to sneak in on that one. Tonight is the second movie "V for Vendetta" and we have heard some buzz on the camp ground that interest is up for that one. Wish us luck.
Steven
Can't wait to hear how the V for Vendetta film showing went. Steven and Maria did a fantastic job on the VTC4L movie tent, one of the best deck out campsites at the PorcFest! And there were some cool ones. The festival itself was in a great location with views from the north looking over many of the high peaks of the White Mountains.
ReplyDeleteEveryone says hi to you as you walk around and with half of them you find yourself engaged in liberty talk. I met guys like Crazy Mike we knew from the Liberty Forum and old buddy Charlie from Lebanon NH. Chris Lawless, the Silver Circle movie guy and Rep. Dan Itse shoed up, who you remember from our own Convention. Ian Freeman from Free Talk Live was there, both in the audience and broadcasting. Got to hear Ernie Hancock live as he discussed religion with a couple of interesting interviewees. Met a ton of new liberty buddies. As I said to Jess when I got home, it's an amazing feeling to walk around hundreds of Don't Tread on Me flags, Ron Paul stickers, Jefferson quotations and realize there are thousands of people out there who share your ideals and your philosophies. There was plenty of food, good beer, great music and other stuff for your imbibing pleasure and none of it sold, all voluntary donation. What a deal, it cost me $5 to get a visitor pass to enter the grounds. It was kind of like going to a mini-Woodstock without the rain and mud ;)
Let me tell you, the PorcFest is fantastic and I'll be looking to attend it in the future for more than the few hours I was able to eke out this year. Plus who needs driving back to Vermont at 2am. I almost hit a fawn, a doe and a giant raccoon on the way home!
Hey, great blog. Do you happen to have a list of all events for the one coming up this year? I just want a simple list of all events and times, instead of creating a google calender and sifting through it all beforehand.
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