Freedom Palooza Begins + Send Ron Paul a Birthday Card.

Written By ED FSP

DATE: Friday, July 25, 2025
AUTHOR: Hon. Eric Brakey - Executive Director, Free State Project

There are few things more beautiful than the New Hampshire North Country — especially in the summer and autumn.

This year, the North Country Porcupines have really put their region on the map as a destination for all who love liberty — with a thriving community, a new clubhouse (The Pine), and a homegrown, three-day music festival.

Speaking of that music festival... Freedom Palooza begins today! Do you have your tickets yet?

(As a thank you for reading the newsletter, use our discount code — Porcupine2025 — to save 5%.)

This evening at 5:30 PM, the 2nd annual "Freedom Palooza" music festival kicks off at Roaring Brook Farm in the North Country.

  • Tonight (Friday), after a community dinner, I look forward to singing a few songs with my friends in the Free State Acoustics! (By popular demand, we will be reprising our covers of "Space Oddity" and "Gravedigger.")

  • On Saturday, everyone is excited to hear The Mammals — a Hudson Valley indie-roots folk rock band — bringing their genre-blending sound to Freedom Palooza Music Festival.

    Formed in 2001 by singer-songwriters Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar, their music weaves traditional folk, blues, and rock with socially conscious lyrics tackling war, justice, and sustainability.

    Known for electrifying live performances, they’ve played Carnegie Hall and collaborated with Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Their 2020 album Nonet and upcoming 2025 double album Touch Grass Vol. 1 & 2 showcase their defiant spirit and songwriting prowess, making them a must-see act.

I hope you can join us this weekend (July 25-27) for Freedom Palooza in Northumberland, NH. Camp out for the whole weekend or visit for a day at Roaring Brook Farm.

Grab your tickets and use my discount code — Porcupine2025 — to save 5% on your Freedom Palooza tickets.

NHLA Liberty Dinner. Last weekend, at their annual Liberty Dinner, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance recognized Rep. Kristin Noble and Derek Proulx at their 2025 Legislator and Activist of the Year. Their efforts above and beyond to advance liberty in the NH Legislature, particularly in the areas of parental rights and Defend the Guard (respectively), were cited for their selection.

This past weekend, our friends at the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance held their annual Liberty Dinner — and it was totally sold out.

Keynote speaker, Justin Pearson of the Institute for Justice, gave a compelling talk on how public choice theory explains the tangled web of self-serving laws and regulations — including occupational licensing — that strangle our freedoms and economic opportunities.

The NHLA also released their legislative report card for the year, honored 18 legislators earning A+ ratings, and gave awards for the 2025 Legislator and Activist of the Year.

There were so many legislative victories to celebrate this year, including:

  • Universal Education Freedom Accounts,

  • The total abolition of the income tax,

  • The end of the car inspection mandate, and 

  • The nation's first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Speaking of that last accomplishment, Rep. Keith Ammon's leadership on crypto policy in the NH House of Representatives is paying off in a tangible way for the people of the state.

Crypto.com just announced their decision to open a trust company in New Hampshire — creating jobs in "technical support and financial services" to serve millions of people using crypto and digital assets.

Crypto.com Opening for Business in New Hampshire. In a recent letter to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Daniel Morrison, an independent director of Crypto.com, announced the company's decision to locate one of their signature trust companies in NH. He writes:

"...Granite Staters, in addition to being early and disproportionately higher adopters of digital currencies and assets, were keen to ensure that the state, too, was preparing for the future of the industry."

Click here for the full letter in the Union Leader.

This is big news for New Hampshire — and a decision that makes perfect sense for any firm operating in the digital asset space.

Thanks to the Free State movement, not only is New Hampshire a policy leader on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, but we have incredible human capital for this industry as the home to many of its earliest pioneers and advocates.

To Crypto.com, we say, "Welcome to the Free State!"

As I've mentioned in recent newsletters, as a sponsor of the event, we are sending down a Free State delegation to Ron Paul's 90th birthday celebration on August 9 in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Many Free Staters are attending, including myself, Jason Sorens (FSP Founder), Carla Gericke (FSP Board Chairman), and other leaders.

If you able to make the journey, you are also welcome to grab tickets and join us in Lake Jackson to celebrate Ron Paul's 90th Birthday BBQ.

It is, of course, a great distance to travel. If you cannot make the journey, one of his sons suggested recently online that everyone send Dr. Ron Paul a birthday card.

Send Ron Paul a Happy 90th Birthday Card. Senator Rand Paul invited everyone online to send his father, Dr. Ron Paul, a card or note to celbrate his 90th birthday.

I have already gone ahead and placed my birthday card in the mail, saying thank you for all the liberty seeds he planted in the next generation.

Please join me in sending a birthday card to Dr. Paul:

Dr. Ron Paul
P.O. Box 1776,
Lake Jackson, TX 77566

If you think to do it, let him know the Free State Project sent you.

Happy Birthday from the Free State. FSP Executive Director Eric Brakey has already sent Dr. Ron Paul a birthday card. Can you join him in wishing the good doctor a "Happy 90th Birthday!"

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! This October, Columbus Day weekend is packed with events for families and digital asset enthusiasts alike. 

  • For the entire three-day weekend (October 11-13), our friends at Independence Realty are also organizing several events for Fall Fest in the Free State.

    There will be fun for the whole family, including apple picking, corn mazes, candlepin bowling, a family hike, and even a trip to Fun Spot (with the largest arcade in the world).

  • On Sunday, October 12, the Free State Bitcoin Digital Asset Conference returns with discussions on the cutting-edge issues and opportunities in the emerging realm of cryptocurrencies.

I'll be sharing more information about these events in future newsletters. Expect many good reasons to join us in New Hampshire this autumn.

It is my honor to serve as Executive Director of the FSP.

For as little as $10/month, you can support our year-round mission — "Liberty in Our Lifetime," one new mover at a time — while receiving exclusive patron benefits, including access to exclusive perks at all FSP events.

We currently have 170 patrons supporting our mission. I would love to reach 200 patrons by the end of the summer. Can I count you in?

If you would like to support our continued outreach efforts, then please CLICK HERE to become a Porcupine Patron of the Free State Project.

For more of our weekly newsletter from the Free State, prepared with assistance from our Communications Director, Mahgdalen Rose, please read on.

For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project

Free State Voices

Educational Options in the Free State. Free Stater and education freedom leader, Jody Underwood, joins Corey DeAngelis to talk school choice, educational options, and how New Hampshire is building parallel structures that compete with the government monopolies.

Watch the full video here.

Manch Talk: "What's going on with the real estate market? Carla and Dominic of Porcupine Real Estate sit down to chat about the real estate landscape in New Hampshire. Learn more about median prices by county, how we tailor our searches for our clients, recent press coverage, and more!

Watch the full video here.

The Granite Discourse. Eric Brakey joins a new local podcast, The Granite Discourse, to discuss why he left Maine for New Hampshire, the value of the Free State Project for all who want to keep NH free, winning the war for school choice, and how the same principles of choice can fix our broken healthcare systems.

Watch the full video here.

"Discovering Your True Self: The Ultimate Privilege."  In this clip Carla Gericke discusses the importance of introspection for those who seek to exercise self-ownership.

"[If] you are your own nation, what would your country and constitution and rules and passports look like?"

Watch the clip here.

News from the Free State

  • Union Leader: "Crypto.com choses NH for its embrace of innovation"

  • NH Liberty Alliance: Representative Kristin Noble Selected As 2025 Legislator of the Year

  • Granite Grok: Cline: Do Advocates for Total Government Dependency Have Any Limiting Principles?

  • Market Watch:  "Manchester-Nashua has been consistently ranked as one of the top markets over the last four years because its homes are relatively cheaper than those in neighboring areas."

  • NHPR: "New report shows Medicaid coverage decreased slightly in New Hampshire in 2024"

  • Housing Wire: "Step aside, Florida — New Hampshire is the best state for retirement"

  • NHPR: "A law signed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte in May will expand chiropractic care for pets by reducing licensing barriers for practitioners."

  • Boston Globe: "New Hampshire is expanding school choice. Will Massachusetts follow?"

  • Conway Daily Sun: "White Mountains, Lakes Region lead state's population growth"

  • FSP: Summertime Sadness? (Last week's FSP newsletter)

PorcFest XXII

We have begun publishing content from this year's Porcupine Freedom Festival. 

Just as we did earlier this year with the NH Liberty Forum, we will be publishing PorcFest content on a rolling basis, several times a week, across multiple social media platforms. Please find below all content published since our last newsletter!

You can find all video content from FSP events on YouTube and all audio-only content on our Spotify podcast channel: "FSP Talks."

"The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools" with Corey DeAngelis

Corey DeAngelis makes the case for school choice as a revolution led by parents who are fed up with government-run education. He credits COVID-era school closures and union overreach for awakening families to the problems in the public school system. With humor and data, Corey highlights the inefficiencies of bloated school budgets, stagnant teacher pay, and increasing administrative costs. He emphasizes that education funding should follow students, not systems, and argues that expanding school choice will empower families while reducing authoritarian control. Throughout, DeAngelis takes sharp aim at teachers unions, especially Randi Weingarten, calling them political operatives harming kids. His rallying cry is simple: fund students, not institutions.

Watch his full remarks from PorcFest XXII.

"A Message from Lyn Ulbricht" with Lyn Ulbricht and Martha Bueno

Lyn Ulbricht and Martha Bueno share a heartfelt and inspiring story of Ross Ulbricht's release from prison after over a decade behind bars. They reflect on the origins of the Free Ross movement, which began at PorcFest, and the powerful role the Free State community played in sustaining it. Martha highlights how personal connections can drive meaningful activism, while Lyn recounts her unexpected journey from mother to national advocate. Together, they urge continued support for others still unjustly imprisoned and introduce their new initiative, Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing (MACS). The talk is a powerful call to action for liberty-minded individuals to keep fighting for justice.

Watch their full remarks from PorcFest XXII.

"How to Protect Your Crypto from a Wrench Attack" with Daniel Malara 

Daniel Malara of Edge Wallet  introduces “Duress Mode,” a powerful new feature designed to protect crypto users in high-risk situations like border crossings or potential physical threats. With Duress Mode, users can enter a decoy PIN that opens a realistic-looking wallet containing only a small amount of crypto, while hiding their real assets. The feature provides plausible deniability and is indistinguishable from normal wallet use, even under close scrutiny. It’s ideal for travelers or anyone who may be coerced into revealing their holdings. Malara emphasizes the importance of self-custody, privacy, and practicing the use of this tool regularly. This innovation is vital to  user-controlled crypto security.  

Watch his full remarks at PorcFest XXII.

As Seen In the Free State

Welcome Home! New mover, Glenn, and his family receive a helping hand as they unload their truck into their new home.

Friends at Liberty Dinner! Free state leaders — Miranda (Design Strategist), Chris (Welcome and Engagement Director), and Constance (PorcFest 2024 Lead Producer) snap a selfie at the 2025 NHLA Liberty Dinner.

That's a Wrap! The production team for PorcFest 2025 gathers for one last time in Amherst for a wrap party — enjoying good food and good company, while discussing early plans for next year.

Market Day at the Quill. Bardo Farm and other local vendors sell their wares at our Manchester liberty clubhouse. For sale this week, included: meat, eggs, berries, lemonade & kombucha, veggies, flowers, herbal teas & salves, massages, and charcutables to eat!

Hop In! The lakes of the Free State are perfect for cooling down on a hot New England afternoon.

Would you take Bitcoin for that? These golf clubs bought were purchased in New Hampshire this week by a Free Stater with Bitcoin. Yes, you can use Bitcoin for that in the Free State.

Some Upcoming Events:

  • Friday, July 25th

    • Lancaster, 2pm-5 - Pre-Freedom Palooza 'Pine Tour - In the area for Freedompalooza and want to check out the clubhouse? Stop by for a little meet and greet and hang out beforehand (the clubhouse is just 20 minutes from the festival). This is open to all Porcupines. Hosted by Amy Norris. (the ‘Pine, 70 Main St, Lancaster)

    • Northumberland, 5:30pm-9 - Freedom Palooza Day 1 - Get ready to rock out at Freedom Palooza Music Festival 2025, where we'll be celebrating music, fun, and freedom all weekend long! Hosted by Chris & Jennifer. (Roaring Brook Farm, 95 Thompson Road Northumberland)

    • 6:30pm-10 - Religious Bitcoin/Crypto Meetup - Join us for a monthly meetup exploring the moral and spiritual dimensions of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. Together, we'll discuss how sound money principles align with religious values like stewardship, honesty, and justice. This gathering is open to all faith backgrounds and anyone interested in the ethical implications of a decentralized peaceful money standard. Almost one year active! Text Zephan for address (603)369-7729

  • Saturday, July 26th

    • Northumberland, 11am-8pm - Freedom Palooza Day 2 - Get ready to rock out at Freedom Palooza Music Festival 2025, where we'll be celebrating music, fun, and freedom all weekend long! Hosted by Chris & Jennifer. (Roaring Brook Farm, 95 Thompson Road Northumberland)

    • Lempster, 3pm-7 - Monthly Open Range & Monthly Challenge - Join Us for an Action-Packed Open Range Day! Get ready to elevate your shooting skills in a dynamic and supportive environment at our July Open Range Day!  Bring your own firearms, and we’ll tailor drills to match your training goals. Don’t have your own gear? No problem—rent from our selection of rifles, pistols, and two exciting machine guns! Compete in our Drill of the Month Competition! Secure your spot today! Hosted by Jesse Smith. (NORO Tactical Solutions, 186 Lempster Rd, Lempster)

    • Henniker, 5pm-6:45 - Community Circle - Gathering in community is a practice as old as time, and one that is needed now more than ever, in this age of digital communications. And so, we hold space every month for in-person connection. $22 suggested donation. Hosted by Lauren Noone. (Rooted Free Farm, 1040 Old Hillsboro Rd, Henniker)

    • Lancaster, 6:30pm-9:30 - North Country Porcupine’s Bourbon & Cigar Night! It's Ok to just stop by and chat for a bit or select a FINE cigar from their humidor and talk economy and politics. ALL are welcome. Hosted by Adam. (Lancaster Motel, 112 Main St, Lancaster)

    • Henniker, 7pm-9 - Ecstatic Dance - Dance can be a modality to reach ecstasy, through movement alone (substance free event). Led by incredible facilitator Kaylan Look, in the magical setting of an historic barn on beautiful grounds. No skill necessary! Expect a transformational evening. $20 suggested donation. Hosted by Lauren Noone. (Rooted Free Farm, 1040 Old Hillsboro Rd, Henniker)

    • Lempster, 7pm-11 - NORO Night Vision Open Range - We’ll be running dynamic drills in the shoot house and around our range vehicle, providing a realistic training environment. Night vision equipment will be available for rental once the sun sets, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.  $20 gets you access for the entire event and we take care of the targets. Hosted by Jesse Smith. (NORO Tactical Solutions, 186 Keyes Hollow Rd, Lempster)

  • Sunday, July 27th

ED FSP
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summertime sadness?