Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director, Free State Project
Hey firstname —
Isn't the Christmas season magical in the Free State?
I thought it was my own biased opinion, but it turns out to be provably true.
We all know NH is ranked #1 for freedom — but now we have another top ranking to add to our list: NH ranks #1 for Christmas cheer. According to Newsweek:
"The spirit of Christmas is felt in various ways — through acts of kindness, generous giving and the joy of being with loved ones — but which states truly embrace the heart of the holiday?"
"[B]ased on factors like holiday shopping activity, charitable contributions and the number of Christmas tree farms... New Hampshire claims the top spot, with its residents displaying an especially high level of holiday cheer."
So in the spirit of New Hampshire, we wish you a merry Twelve Days of Christmas! Also, to those observing, we wish you eight happy nights of Chanukah!
It is this time of year, with religious liberty on full display, I think back to the work of a great libertarian hero — Thomas Jefferson.
His proudest accomplishment in life (among many) was the establishment of religious freedom in Virginia — a legal standard that spread across America.
After Jefferson’s death, Uriah P. Levy (the first Jewish commodore in the United States Navy) rescued his estate and commissioned two statues of Jefferson to honor the work that allowed him to serve and rise in the military ranks.
However you celebrate this holiday season with friends and family — the Free State welcomes all who love liberty and respect the freedom to worship without interference from state authority.
At the Free State Project, one way we celebrate each year is with our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party.
For those who give their time to advance the Free State mission — producing events, making phone calls, writing post cards, and making numerous contributions to Free State communities — it is important to say thank you.
That's why we gathered in Plymouth for good times, good food, and good people — bringing together Free Staters from the north and the south.
Thank you to Welcome Director, Chris Lopez, for organizing the whole event — and thank you to our Marketing Strategist, Miranda Animus, for designing the event handbills (pictured above) that greeted everyone at their tables.
We also announced our Volunteer of the Year — for acts of service above and beyond the standard porcupine — Yury Polozov (pictured above, with FSP Welcome & Engagement Director, Chris Lopez.)
Originally from Russia, Yury moved to New Hampshire in 2012 and has supported the FSP as a volunteer over the last dozen years. Today, Yury is raising his family in the Free State, while working as a cybersecurity entrepreneur and representing his community in the NH House of Representatives.
A regular participant as FSP Volunteer Nights, Yuri is also often seen supporting liberty candidates and advocating for less government influence in our lives.
Thank you to Yury and all who follow your good example!
And after the meal and speeches were finished, a few were brave enough to join me on the dance floor — including Yury and our AV Content Producer, Reinita. (Video evidence below.)
On a personal note, this December marks one full year since I joined the Free State Project as its Executive Director.
As reported in Maine this past Sunday (on the front page of the Lewiston Sun Journal), I am confident in the good work we are doing and looking forward to the year ahead.
SUN JOURNAL — "Brakey said this month he is now 'enjoying the number one state for freedom in America' while he focuses on 'organizing big events for next year, including the 22nd Porcupine Freedom Festival' in the town of Lancaster.
"Brakey... is the executive director of the Free State Project in New Hampshire, which aims to convince libertarians to move to the Granite State.
"He said that New Hampshire is welcoming to people who seek less government intrusion into their daily lives and businesses. It has no income or sales tax, he said,
and offers 'robust school choice programs, no waiting periods on firearm purchases' or even mandatory seat belt laws.
“The strong communities of libertarians are the best part' of living in New Hampshire, Brakey said."
While continued local coverage of my departure is raising interest among liberty-lovers across our eastern border, we continue taking every opportunity to reach curious libertarians everywhere they can be found.
That's why, during a recent trip to Texas, I enjoyed sitting down with Alec Zeck on "The Way Forward" podcast.
In an extensive 2-hour conversation (heard by thousands who care about health freedom), we discuss why the Free State Project is the most effective strategy for defeating tyranny and restoring "Liberty in Our Lifetime."
Promoting the Free State Project through podcasts, social media, and events is a crucial step in our mission, but it is only the first step.
Once liberty lovers are curious and interested in the Free State, we must also work to outreach, welcome, and engage.
That's why, in the New Year, as part of our Granite Gulch Initiative, we are retooling and reinvesting in our Free State Pipeline to bring more new movers to New Hampshire.
1. Promote — Raise awareness and curiosity in the liberty diaspora through social media, legacy media, podcasts, and participation with external events.
2. Outreach — Communicate directly with those interested in the Free State Project to encourage and facilitate exploring and visiting New Hampshire, especially for major events like PorcFest and Liberty Forum.
3. Welcome — Help those with declared intent to move make preparations and unload their moving trucks when they arrive.
4. Engage — Involve Free State participants in the recruitment process with volunteering opportunities.
To implement our Granite Gulch Initiative, we seek to make several critical investments in the new year.
That includes the opening of an FSP Welcome Center, establishing a new database and communications platform, launching new Granite Gulch Fellowship and Ambassador programs, and other items to advance the Free State mission.
To kick off this initiative and make these investments in the Free State, a generous donor (and new mover) has pledged to match — dollar-for-dollar — every contribution made until January 15, 2025 (up to $90,000).
With over 100 supporters contributing since the launch of our new Porcupine Patrons program, we over 80% of the way to our goal — with $74,000 raised in donations and pledges.
But we are hoping to meet this goal by TOMORROW AT MIDNIGHT. Can we count you in as a Porcupine Patron?
As a volunteer-driven organization, people contribute in many ways to the mission of the Free State Project — and it is always important to say thank you.
That's why we recently launched our 2025 Porcupine Patron Program.
For those who contribute as little as $10 per month (or $100 per year), we are launching a tiered benefits program with a variety of ways to say thanks.
Porcupine Patrons will receive a variety of complimentary benefits, including:
A unique "Golden Porcupine" lapel pin
Access to a Porcupine Patrons Signal Group
Quarterly print newsletter, mailed to your home
Monthly video calls with FSP Director Brakey
Complimentary tickets for FSP events
Signed books from Free State authors
An annual holiday gift basket, featuring goodies
from Free State businesses
The new "Golden
Porcupine" lapel pin — exclusively for patrons of the Free State Project.
A complimentary two-night stay at the
Independence Inn
And other wonderful benefits
CLICK HERE to become a Porcupine Patron today.
As we approach the new year, our volunteer teams are hard at work preparing for Liberty Forum (April 2025) and the Porcupine Freedom Festival (June 2025).
Tickets for both are on sale now!
Be on the lookout for announcements on upcoming events as we cross into the new year.
In the meanwhile, thank you for a productive 2024 as we work to achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime — one new mover at a time.
For Liberty!
Eric Brakey
Executive Director,
Free State Project
We are holding a design content for our PorcFest XXII logo.
Are you a talented artist? We'd love to give you the opportunity to make your mark on next year's Porcupine Freedom Festival.
DESIGN: Designs should incorporate porcupine imagery and the theme of "Taste the Revolution." Please, no AI generated art.
SUBMISSION: Email your design to porcfest@fsp.org. Our submission deadline is January 31, 2025.
WINNING: The winning designer will receive two free tickets to PorcFest XXII, honors at the festival, and a free T-Shirt featuring their design.
RUNNER-UPS: Those with designs that are not selected, but deserving of honorable mentions, will receive a free PorcFest XXII t-shirt upon their arrival at the festival.
What's Happening in NH?
Looking for a New Year's Eve party? We've got you covered below. Also, please check the Liberty Calendar for many more events.
An "Artsy Fartsy" New Year's Eve Party
Tuesday, December 31, 7pm
The Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester, NH
"Put on your most festive and fancy attire with us and enjoy an Artsy Fartsy New Year's Eve gathering! Featuring live performances from your favorite libertarians, fashion show, photo booth, and delicious treats." Check the FSP calendar for more details.
Dance Outta 2024 at The SHELL
Tuesday, December 31, 8:00pm - 1:00am
THE SHELL, 3 Front St, Rollinsford, NH
"Kick off the year in style at The SHELL with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration! The evening will feature an epic dance-off, fun games, a best dressed contest, and a celebrity DJ. Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 at The SHELL! The energy, the games, the fun — it’s the ultimate way to ring in the New Year!" Check the FSP calendar for more details.
NYE at the Concord Prickle (Family Friendly)
Tuesday, December 31, 6:00pm - 12:15am
The Concord Prickle, 74 Curtisville Rd, Concord, NH
"Prepare for a memorable New Year's celebration with your entire family! Join us as we illuminate the sky with stunning fireworks at 9:00 PM (Early New Years for the little ones) and once more at midnight! Get excited to rock a mask and formal attire, or simply come as you are! We are excited to invite you to bring a dish or
appetizer to share for our potluck! Join us in raising your glasses, as champagne and sparkling cider will be available for toasting." Click HERE to RSVP.
NYE Early Party (Potluck) in the North Country
80 State St. Groveton, NH 03582 4pm-8pm
"Celebrate the new year with friends, food, games, and conversation….early bird style. This is a potluck, so please bring something to share. Please bring board games if you want to play." Click HERE for more info on the Facebook event.
Upcoming Events
New Mover Potluck Parties!
Manchester - First Friday
Seacoast - Third Sunday
North Country - Third Saturday
Local Meetups!
Manchester - weekly, Tuesdays
Plymouth - semi-monthly, first and third Wednesdays
Weare - semi-monthly, Wednesdays
Seacoast - weekly, Thursdays (changes town)
Upper Valley - monthly, fourth Tuesday
Nashua - weekly, Sundays
Gilford - monthly, third Saturday
Ossipee - monthly, second Sunday
Madison - twice a month, second Saturday and third Tuesday
Grafton - monthly, second Saturday
Keene - weekly, Sundays
Concord - monthly, second Wednesday
Lower Valley - monthly, third Thursday
This is only the a small sample of what's going on in the Free State! Recurring topical events include agorism, family play time, range shooting, and crypto.
Find upcoming events across the state on our calendar. Liberty Calendar
Read All About It!
NH has lowest minimum wage in the New England States NH Defunds Marxist American Library Association
Stray Animals Sent to NH to find New Homes
NH Spends Less for Better Results
New Movers Flock to NH During Pandemic
In Case You Missed It!
Women in the Free State Bloody Mary Bar. The ladies of the Free State hosted a quarterly meetup where they enjoyed like-minded conversation, a Bloody Mary bar, and gift swap.
We Heart West Decorating. The Free State gives back through We Heart West, a group out of West Manchester who helps to keep the city clean and spread cheer. Here they are decorating a tree on the Rail Trail!
The SHELL Christmas Potluck. Well-attended Christmas events were held around the state, the SHELL's being no exception! Lots of Yankee Swaps, delicious food, and holiday cheer with friends.
New Mover Potluck at the Quill. The Holidays don't stop the Free State from welcoming New Movers! The SHELL and Quill monthly New Mover Potlucks are always a treat — and a great way to get to know fellow Free Staters!
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.
The Porcupine Report
Have you been watching our weekly podcast?
On Episode 47, Eric Brakey was joined by many leaders of the Free State movement to discuss what we all love about the Christmas season in New Hampshire.
In December, we had many great guests and free range conversations you don't want to miss:
Episode 47 - "Christmas Special" w/ Dennis, Chris, Constance, and Jason
Episode 46 - "AI for Liberty" w/ Matt Barney
Episode 45 - "What Just Happened Across the States?" w/ Sean Themea Episode 44 - "Battle of the Borders" w/ John Papola
Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM, we release a new episode on X, Facebook, YouTube, Odysee, Spotify, and you favorite podcasting apps.
Need a reminder of the free society we are building? WATCH THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS.
As Seen In The Free State