By ZACH LAIRD, InDepthNH.org

MANCHESTER - Roughly a dozen people traveled to The Quill, a libertarian clubhouse in Manchester on Monday to join Welcome Wagon Monday, a social gathering during the Free State Project PorcFest, a debated event also referred to as the Porcupine Freedom Festival.

PorcFest XXIII: Spontaneous Order marks the 23rd festival put on by the Free State Project and runs June 21-28, featuring 10 smaller events across the state. The Free State Project launched in 2001 aiming for a large influx of libertarians into one small state to build a stronger community, per its site, noting thousands have relocated to New Hampshire since then.

Yet as they increased influence at the State House, many residents have grown opposed to their control of the Republican party with focus on topics such as vaccines, healthcare for Trans youth, public schools while pushing Education Freedom Accounts, plus zoning and land use rules.

Because of this some organizations mark PorcFest this week by informing residents about what they view as the actual goals. On Tuesday former NH state Sen. Jeanne Dietsch discusses the damaging effects of the Free State Project and extreme libertarian ideas on state, county and local politics at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, June 23, 6:30 pm. The gathering is backed by nonpartisan groups Central NH Indivisible and Citizens for Belknap, according to a press release.

Brian Beihl, organizer for Citizens for Belknap, noted Belknap County faces influence from Free Staters as well.

In 2022 a group headed by then state representative and Free Stater Mike Sylvia tried a libertarian takeover of the Belknap County Delegation and the Gunstock Area Commission, Beihl said. Gunstock Ski Area nearly collapsed even though it supplied hundreds of jobs and significant county income, he added in the release.

Previously PorcFest took place at Rogers Campground in Lancaster but this year events spread throughout the state.

President Emeritus of the Free State Project Carla Gericke stated: This week at PorcFest we are handling it as the onboarding for participants.

The concept behind the Welcome Wagon is a bag of items like gifts, trinkets or clothing, some pamphlets, and a passport created a couple years ago that serves as a guide to New Hampshire with Free Stater activities and other appealing spots such as dipping a toe in Lake Winnipesaukee or testifying on legislation.

Gericke addressed assertions from opponents that the Free State Project seeks to weaken public schools or seize the State House for major shifts: The Free State Project itself is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on education that highlights benefits of New Hampshire. We consist of individuals and form a movement of independent people. They pursue different efforts and many have entered politics with notable success including Jason Osborne as House Majority Leader along with numerous Free Staters elected.

Gericke dismissed suggestions that this years PorcFest will draw fewer people than before due to her exit from the Board of Directors months ago yet recognized that the Free State Project like similar groups deals with internal conflicts: There was infighting of course. We form a community and communities include drama.

In an earlier discussion with InDepthNH.org Executive Director Eric Brakey indicated the group anticipates several hundred attendees this year compared to past events that exceeded a thousand. He added that for those relocating to New Hampshire through the Free State Project the organization covers no moving expenses and roughly 100 state legislators align with its principles or arrived to take part.

Former State Rep. Amanda Bouldin D-Manchester learned of the Free State Project via her former spouse in 2009 and stayed involved until 2016. She described the initial concept as appealing and lively noting life in Texas had paused amid the 2008 financial downturn. She eventually departed after a dispute involving libertarian and ex-Free Stater Ian Freeman regarding whether children could consent. In 2023 Freeman received an eight-year sentence for cryptocurrency fraud. She exited without fanfare concerned about possible reactions she recalled.

I have lived in New Hampshire 17 years now and reflecting on the start I see I received no warning about the strong local resentment toward Free Staters. Free Staters face limited acceptance here. New Hampshire operates as a small-town state where connections run deep and politics functions uniquely. Voters often support candidates known since childhood rather than party lines or those from longstanding local families dating to the 1800s instead of political stances Bouldin said.

Bouldin added that ties in New Hampshire span generations and the main idea of the Free State Project clashes with local culture.

When individuals tour the state and hear about supposed Free State Project achievements I wonder how they would react if also informed about the hurdles in forming friendships beyond the group or explaining their move in job interviews without harming prospects. This can foster a cult-like setting leading to isolation reliance on the circle and barriers to new connections or personal growth.

If you wish to reside in New Hampshire feel free as it offers beauty history and great residents. Yet it should not stem from the Free State Project. Seek another motivation I would suggest since the FSP motives lack substance and may lead to letdowns Bouldin said.

Brittany Ping relocated from Indiana to Manchester in 2014 alongside her husband after linking with other Free Staters and opting to build a family in the Granite State. She had recently finished college while her husband had one semester remaining when he committed to the Free State Project pledge to move and adopt libertarian values. She noted she now intends to seek election as State Representative in Manchester.

She remembered the welcoming vibe of the community they met during their Manchester visit and chose to settle in New Hampshire. Within five weeks both secured summer positions at a camp in Hebron New Hampshire.

We settled well in Manchester. Yet it came down to this being an ideal spot to raise children. Setting aside liberty and the Free State Project it stood out as one of the top places for kids and activities we enjoy. We prefer the outdoors and staying active rather than relaxing in our Indianapolis apartment with a six-pack nightly. That was not the lifestyle we sought so we made the change and picked this path Ping said.

She explained that after arriving her husband launched a property management real estate brokerage where she works too. In spare time they enjoy community events with fellow Free Staters including potlucks dinners and sing-alongs.

She also replied to critiques about the project grabbing political control: Some Free State Project participants who signed the pledge may hold those opinions but they represent a small number just as there are Free Staters who support strengthening public education.