DATE: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
AUTHOR: Hon. Eric Brakey - Executive Director, Free State Project

Let's cut right to the chase.

This Friday, May 16, marks exactly one month until the start of our 22nd annual Porcupine Freedom Festival (June 16-22).

That also means TOMORROW (Thursday) is the last day for early bird rates. Ticket prices are going up 25% on Friday.

If you don't have your ticket yet, I want to make sure you get the best price possible — so please don't wait a second longer.

Grab your PorcFest XXII tickets right now before the Friday price increase!

And as an extra thank you for subscribing to our Free State Project newsletter, please use my discount code "GraniteGulch" for an additional 10% off.

As I've mentioned in past newsletters, we are bringing in many great speakers this year, including Joel Salatin, Connor Boyack, Corey DeAngelis, Bob Murphy, David Friedman, Matt Kibbe, Clifton Duncan, Jack Hunter, Scott Horton, Hannah Cox, Jacob Hornberger, Marc Randazza, Dr. Simon Goddek, Steve Robinson, and many others.

(If you want to learn more about these speakers, click on the links above for their X profiles.)

And there is a lot more you should know about this year's festival.

If you haven't attended in the last few years, I want you to know we have made significant investments and improvements to provide quality facilities for all attendees.

With mobile restroom trailers, plentiful porta-johns, a backup water supply, and an all-star team of volunteers keeping everything running through the week — last year's festival was the cleanest PorcFest we've ever held and we are committed to continue providing high quality facilities this year.

One of our community vendors, "Porc Showers," is also bringing mobile shower trailers. With our backup water supply, we are ensuring they have all the water they need.

(Still, this is an outdoor camping festival. It's always a good idea to bring plentiful drinking water with you to PorcFest.)

Of course, PorcFest is unique because it is not just about the programming organized by our festival producers — it is about the week-long free society that we all build together.

That's why, in recent years, PorcFest has embraced the "Hub Model" designed by Dennis Pratt (PorcFest lead producer, 2021-2023).

With hubs, we empower PorcFest participants to build mini-festivals within the festival.

This year, many musicians are being hosted by our hubs where you can "Hear the Revolution." After all, what is a revolution without music?

Think something else is missing from PorcFest? Add it! Your hub can be:

• A lounge for relaxation and conversation
• A space for debates, panels, or workshops
• A hands-on learning center
• A music or performance venue
• A marketplace or vending zone
• Or anything else that builds community through liberty

If you can imagine it, you can build it! Hubs are where the revolution grows — grassroots and ground-up.

CLICK HERE to learn more, register a hub, and bring your own vision to life at PorcFest XXII!

To Taste the Revolution this year at PorcFest, we are resurrecting an old tradition: the "One Pot Cook-Off!"

Thursday evening, chefs across the campground will be showcasing their cooking talents with a one-pot meal (soup, chili, stew, etc), serving sample sized portions for all ticket-holding judges.

Judges will travel across the campground to sample each dish and vote on the best of the bunch. Prizes will be awarded for the best and most unique meals.

We are still looking for more chefs! Even I will be cooking-up a one-pot dish, and I hope you consider joining in. To sign-up as a chef, please send an email to Amber: Amberdaves08@gmail.com.

For judges, we have only 100 tickets available to participate and enjoy the many dishes of the cook-off. This is a great opportunity to meet all your neighbors at PorcFest, tour the campground, and sample great food.

Grab your ticket for $25 to Taste the Revolution as a judge for the One Pot Cook-Off.

By popular demand, Porcupints returns once again to PorcFest!

As our festival has grown over the decades, so have the requests for family programming. At our Porcupints Pavillion (right by the playground and the family zone at Roger's Campground), kids of all ages will be able to enjoy:

A "Wildlife Encounters" animal show — featuring many critters, including a real porcupine.
"Lindsay and her Puppet Pals" — one of the most creative and all-ages-appealing puppet shows we’ve ever seen, returning for a second year.
"The Porcupine Mock Legislature" — facilitated by yours truly (channeling my 6 years of experience in the Maine Senate), older kids and teens will form political parties, elect a Speaker of the House, and take a single bill through the full legislative process.
"Tuttle Twins Storytime" with Connor Boyack — the author of the popular children's book series will personally read aloud one of his books to kids in attendance.
And much more — including the ever-popular "Glow Party," daily games of "Humans Versus Zombies," and t-shirt tie-dyeing (a classic for any childhood camping experience).

Last year, over 100 kids were in attendance — and we look forward to welcoming even more this June.

Please remember that child tickets are always deeply discounted — ranging from $1-$10 based on age. Bring the whole family!

Grab adult and child tickets for PorcFest XXII before prices increase this Friday, May 16!

We are entering the final stretch as we make our final preparations to welcome liberty-lovers from across the world to this year's Porcupine Freedom Festival.

In one month, please join us to Taste the Revolution brewing in the Live Free or Die state.

For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director, Free State Project
PorcFest XXII, Co-Producer

2025 NH Liberty Forum

We are currently in the process of editing and publishing video of remarks delivered at the recent 2025 NH Liberty Forum.

For the next several weeks, follow the Free State Project on Facebook, X, and YouTube for a new video each day at 2:00 PM.

You can find below the videos published since our last newsletter.

**"CCP Propaganda Strategies Adopted by the Washington Deep State" with Lily Tang Williams.** A past and current candidate for Congress, Lily Tang Williams shares her experiences growing up under Mao’s Cultural Revolution in China and draws parallels to political and cultural trends she sees in the United States today. She warns of increasing authoritarianism, censorship, and ideological conformity, urging Americans not to take their freedoms for granted. Lily discusses her activism, her campaign for Congress, and her commitment to fighting for liberty, free speech, and constitutional government. She emphasizes the importance of individual action and civic engagement at the local level to preserve American values. With humor, conviction, and firsthand insight, Lily delivers a powerful call to defend freedom before it’s too late. Watch her full remarks.

**"Can Crypto Separate Money from the State?" with Dr. Karl Kreder.** Dr. Karl Kreder explores whether cryptocurrency can truly separate money from the state. He critiques the limitations of both fiat currency and early crypto models like Bitcoin, highlighting challenges such as scalability, privacy, and volatility. Kreder introduces a new decentralized blockchain architecture that combines proof-of-work security with fast, low-cost, private transactions at scale. He also presents the concept of the “energy dollar,” a stable, energy-backed digital currency designed to replace fiat-backed stablecoins. Arguing that real monetary freedom requires honest design against state-level adversaries, Kreder makes a compelling case for a truly sovereign financial system. Watch his full remarks.

**"Freedom in the 50 States" with Jason Sorens.** Founder of the Free State Project, Jason Sorens presents the latest findings from Freedom in the 50 States, a comprehensive index measuring economic and personal freedom across U.S. states. He explains how the index weighs factors like tax policy, regulation, and civil liberties to evaluate which states best protect individual rights. Sorens reveals key trends, such as growing personal freedom in many states and strong migration patterns toward freer regions. He highlights New Hampshire’s top ranking, its strengths in fiscal responsibility and personal liberty, and areas where improvement is needed. The talk also previews upcoming changes to the next edition of the index, including new metrics and refined policy weightings. This session offers valuable insights for policymakers, journalists, and anyone interested in the real-world impact of freedom. Watch his full remarks.

**"The China Dilemma: Rethinking US-China Relations Through Public Choice Theory" with Ryan Yonk**. Economist Ryan Yonk (with the American Institute for Economic Research) explores the complexities of U.S.-China relations through the lens of public choice theory. Drawing on his personal experiences in China and insights from his book, Yonk challenges conventional international relations models that treat China as a monolithic actor. Instead, he argues that understanding individual motivations—particularly those of Chinese leaders like Xi Jinping—is key to predicting behavior and crafting smarter foreign policy. Yonk emphasizes that economic liberalization in China stemmed from internal pressures, not Western influence, and that nationalism now serves to maintain regime power. This talk offers a fresh, nuanced framework for analyzing global power dynamics and avoiding simplistic Cold War-style thinking. Watch his full remarks.

**"Education Freedom Accounts: Seed Capital for Bright Futures" with Frank Edelblut.** New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut critiques the U.S. public education system and lays out a vision for transformative reform. He highlights decades of stagnation in student achievement despite billions in spending and numerous federal initiatives. Edelblut argues that education has become overly bureaucratic and disconnected from students' natural curiosity and learning needs. He calls for a shift from rigid, top-down mandates to a more flexible, learner-centered approach rooted in market principles and innovation. Highlighting successful initiatives like charter schools, learning pods, and education freedom accounts in New Hampshire, he makes the case for empowering families and embracing educational diversity. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in rethinking education for the 21st century. Watch his full remarks.

The Porcupine Report

**Episode 63: "Sound Money Across the States" with Daniel Diaz.** Executive Director of Citizens for Sound Money, Daniel Diaz, joins the program to discuss the nationwide push to restore gold and silver as legal tender. Daniel shares major legislative victories in states like Florida and Missouri, the role of sound money in protecting economic freedom, and the legacy of the late NH Senator Jim Forsythe. He also explains the practical benefits of legal tender laws and the future of gold- and silver-backed digital currencies. Don’t miss this deep dive into the growing sound money movement with one of its leading voices. Click here to watch the full episode.

Read All About It!

NHPR: "Bitcoin boosters push to make New Hampshire ‘the granite cradle of crypto"
WMUR: "Bill to end state inspections for motor vehicles heads to Senate floor for vote"
Concord Monitor: "Effort to enable town budget caps passes N.H. Legislature"
Fox News: "Unexpected state dominates America's pizza scene and it's not New York"
Union Leader: "Rep. Brian Labrie: New Hampshire’s bold Bitcoin play is revolutionary"
WMUR: "Bill would require firearms safety training in New Hampshire schools"
NH Journal: "MA’s Healey Has Competition, but NH Dems A ‘No Show’ Against Ayotte"
NH Journal: "YAKUBOVICH: Let Patients Choose Hope; Why New Hampshire Must Pass HB 701"

NH Liberty Calendar

For those in New Hampshire, be sure to check out some of the community events coming up in the next few days.

Click the button above for access to our full NH Liberty Calendar.

Thursday, May 15

Claremont, 5:30pm-8:30 - Lower Valley Meetup - Bring yourself, bring the family, bring a friend, and bring a dish to share. We look forward to seeing you there! Hosted by Shanna Gary (112 Cheshire Turnpike, Langdon)

Manchester 6pm-8 - FSP Volunteer Party - This month we are making calls to invite our nearest and dearest friends to PorcFest! Delicious noms provided. Hosted by Jack Garber (Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)

Rochester 6pm-9 - Rochester Liberty Outreach Meetup - Are you tired of big government? Just want to live free? You'll be in good company at our weekly liberty meetups every Thursday night. The goal of these meetups is to provide a place for those interested in the philosophy of liberty to learn more and get involved in our vibrant community of families, entrepreneurs, and activists. It's all about good ideas, good people, and good eats. So come on down! Hosted by Seamus Casey (Revolution Taproom & Grill, 61 N Main St, Rochester)

Saturday, May 17

Gilford, 12pm–1:30 - Lakes Region Porcupines - Come and meet up with your fellow Porcupines in the Lakes Region for Liberty, Laughter, and Local Fun every month on the third Saturday! Hosted by Rick Notkin (El Tequila Restaurant, 1458 Lakeshore Rd Suite 5, Gilford)

Manchester, 2pm-5 - Manchester Marketplace - Join us for our monthly community market and farm share pick-up! Get some shopping done from your fav local porcupines #shoplibertylocal Hosted by Emily Smith. (Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)

Lancaster, 4pm-7 - North Country Porcupines - Come join your fellow North Country Porcupines for our monthly potluck! This month we will be at Martin Meadow Pond Rd in Lancaster. Bring a dish and spend some time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Hosted by Staci Webb (224 Martin Meadow Pond Rd, Lancaster)

Rollinsford, 6pm-10 - Poker at the SHELL - Guests welcomed. Bring your own snacks and beverages. $10 buy in. Donations encouraged! Hosted by Stephen Nass. (the SHELL, 3 Front St, Rollinsford, Unit B10)

Sunday, May 18

Rollinsford, 12pm-2 - SHELL New Mover Potluck - DROP IN FOR THE MONTHLY SHELL SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE! Potluck brunch at noon, bring your favorite plate to share. Kids games all day! Coffee & chat! Hosted by Jack Garber. (The SHELL, 3 Front St, Rollinsford, Unit B10)

Candia, 2pm-4- Garnet School Late Spring Foraging - There’s food all around us. We just need to look closer and do a little research. On the Garnet School property, there are dozens of different foods, herbs, and flowers that grow wild. Come with us to learn about what grows wild in New England and how to identify and use them. There’s an abundance of edible foods out there now – let’s forage it up and make a salad, and some other treats, as well. Class includes salad made with foraged foods. Get your tickets today! Hosted by Cynthia Travis. (Garnet School, 456 Critchett Rd, Candia)

Keene, 5pm-6 - Social Sunday - Enjoy the company of other liberty-loving people at NH's longest-running activist social! If Local Burger is closed, come to our backup location at Curry Indian Restaurant: 149 Emerald St. Hosted by Chris Wade (Local Burger, 82 Main St, Keene)

Handy Tips

Considering a move here, but need a bit of help sorting through it all? Check out:

The Free State Job Alert on Facebook
A handy guide to landing a job in New Hampshire
This heads-up form to let us know you plan to visit—introducing yourself and letting us show you around just might be the key to finding your perfect job!
Follow the Free State Project on social media for your daily dose of inspiration! Click the links below.

Need a reminder of the free society we are building? WATCH THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS.