AOF Activities & Events

California Freethought Day, in fact the Sixteenth Annual Freethought Day Festival, is a day when the state-wide community of freethinkers join hands to bring you a menagerie of wonders, an arabesque of dreams, a fabulous flight of free minds, and with it, music, tablers, speakers, and so much more ... really, you must be there to see. AOF began this event in 2002. Over the years it has grown, left the nest, and taken wing. We couldn't be more proud. (*sniff*).

If you're new, we'll explain. If not, you can skip the next paragraph.

California Freethought Day (CFD) is a public jubilee and gala. It celebrates secularism, salutes independent and rational thought. It is open to everyone, and free. It combines 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 tons of fun.

Planners are packing the day with events to entertain you as much as uplift you. Projected speakers, panelists & entertainers will include Sikivu Hutchinson (African-American Feminist Author), Larry Decker (of the Secular Coalition for America), David Smalley (Podcaster and Activist), Jessica Xiao (Asian-American Feminist, Writer & Humanist), Elizabeth Lagesse (once arrested for Protesting), David Tamayo (President of Hispanic American Freethinkers), Athena Salman (Arizona State Representative), Melissa Pugh (United COR), Victor Harris (Poet), and even Uncle Sam, and many more. The lineup is probably growing as you read this.

So sign up now. Sign up why? It's free, isn't it? Indeed the main event (Sunday) is free to attend, but advance registration (just as free) makes you eligible for delightful & toothsome prizes. Also a fun Supporters Reception (less free, but worth it) will occur the evening before, Saturday, with a leadership seminar for secular leaders. CFD is a complex event. To learn more, visit the event website, or see the Facebook Page, or read & join the Freethought Day Blog. (Anyone may join the blog, CFD loves new voices.)

The seed of this 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 celebrations held world-over at about the time.

So ... if you like to staff a table at CFD, vend, volunteer, sponsor, help promote, help plan, set up, clean up - or if you just have suggestions - then please do visit the event website now, and contact the chairman. Sooner = better. The team will love to have you, because hands that help ... are beautiful hands.