AOF Activities & Events
Changes are brewing, have brewed, for this annual festival of reason. For one, it had a growth spurt. No longer "Sacramento Freethought Day," it's now California Freethought Day, a larger, grander, more freethinky event. And it is no longer AOF's baby. It left the nest, it has spread its wings, it has a voice of its own. We are so proud ... excuse us a moment (*sniff*).
Of course AOF continues to support the annual event we began in 2002. And so you're reading this. Grab a Sharpie now and mark your calendar for the Fifteenth Annual Freethought Day Festival, when our community of freethought joins hands to bring you a menagerie of wonders, an arabesque of dreams, a fabulous flight of free minds, and so much fun you'll want to get the t-shirt. (Ohyes, there'll be a t-shirt.)
California Freethought Day is a jubilee, a party, a gala, a celebration of secularism, a salute to independent and rational thought, open to the public, free (that's to say, freeeee), combining the fun and festivity of a fair with the education and activism of a conference. It features speakers, entertainers, food, prizes, a "family fun zone," vendors, exhibits, panels, art ... and more.
The planning has packed the day with events to entertain you as much as uplift you, and to nourish you with knowledge. For now, projected speakers/panelists/entertainers will include podcaster & AAA President Aaron Ra, activist Nas Ishmael of Ex-Muslims of North America, Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku, author David McAfee, rock-goddess Shelley Segal, comedian Steve Hill, poet Victor Harris, David Silverman of American Atheists, Tom Manger of the Secular Coalition for California, Amanda Metskas from Camp Quest, student whistle-blower Cindy Fisk, and many more -- a spectrum of noted writers and activists, all bright candles to light the darkness.
Note, the main event (Sunday) is free to attend (though CFD accepts donations with blinding smiles), and advance registration (also free, see the main website) will make you eligible for delightful & toothsome door prizes. Also a fun Supporters Reception (not so free, but worth it) will occur the evening before (that's Saturday, dear calendar-challenged reader), with a leadership seminar for secular leaders, and a Secular Advocay Day the final day.
To learn more: visit the event website, or visit the Facebook Page, or read & join the Freethought Day Blog. (Anyone may join the blog, CFD loves new voices.)
The theme this year: Secular Pride. Click here for the promo video!
Almost needless to say, the seed of CFD festival is the celebration of Freethought Day, a secular holiday that falls on October 12 (click that little link to learn a bit about it), and one of many events held world-over at about the time.
If you like to staff a table at CFD, vend, volunteer, sponsor, help promote, help plan, set up, clean up - then please do visit the event website now, and contact the chairman. Sooner is better. The team will love to have you, because hands that help ... are beautiful hands.
