California Freethought Day Festival

Join us for the California Freethought Day Festival 2024!

Schedule of Events:

Our main event is at the California State Capitol Building on the West Steps.

10:45 AM
Capitol Park Tour
If you've signed up for the free Capitol Park Tour, meet at our stage (West Steps) to gather with the others. At 10:50 AM, we'll walk you to the tour starting point.

11:00 AM
Exhibitor Tables and Early Registration
Arrive early and visit our sponsors, community groups, and other non-profit organizations.
Visit the Registration table to check-in and receive your free color program and any goodies you've paid for like a snack, button, t-shirt, or signed poster.

12:00 Noon
Ricky "CaptainDadPool" Brock
Emcee's Welcome
Ricky, better known online as "CaptainDadPool" is an Army vet, father, and former evangelical Christian who is now the State Director (PA) for American Atheists.

12:10 PM
David Diskin
Opening Remarks
Our committee president will say a few words about this year's theme.

12:15 PM
Julia B. Levine
Poet Laureate of Davis, CA
This year's guest poet has been recognized for her work in building resiliency in teenagers related to climate change through poetry, science, and technology.

12:25 PM
Presentation to Sen. Susan Eggman
CA Senator from District 5
We'll be recognizing Susan for her history of activism on LGBT+ issues and policy in healthcare, particularly her authoring the End of Life Option Act.
The Senator regrets that she will not be able to join us.

12:30 PM
Dr. Anthony Pinn
Professor and Author
Anthony teaches humanities and religion at Rice University and Director of Research for the Institute for Humanist Studies – a Washington, DC-based think tank. He has authored more than 35 books on topics spanning Humanism, race, religion, and more.

12:55 PM
Break
Vist with our exhibitors or take a stroll around the park. Don't forget to visit our Freethinker Gallery and, if you're a Supporter, grab a snack and drink.
1:10 PM

Authors' and Podcasters' Panel
Moderated by Thomas Smith, our panel is a great way to learn about some new authors and podcasters or have your questions answered. Learn more.

1:50 PM
Scholarship Winners
Our winning students will be invited to take the stage and read their work. Learn more.

2:05 PM
James Aguilar
Teacher and School Board Member
James is a high school teacher, union leader, and the youngest person elected to office in California’s history, serving the San Leandro School Board at 18. He is also a high school social science teacher and academic department chair.

2:20 PM
Break
Say hello to Uncle Sam and try out a little juggling or stop by a few of our sponsor's tables during this extended break.

2:40 PM
To be Announced
Live Entertainment

3:10 PM
Community Panel
Join us as we give the stage to a handful of local, regional, and national non-profit organizations so they can teach tell you about their important work.

3:20 PM
Community Awards
We'll recognize Don Knutson, Laura Heywood, and James Underdown and for their incredible work building our secular community and helping others.

3:35 PM
Break
This is the last break before we draw door prize winners, so complete your survey (found in the program) and turn it in at the registration table.

3:50 PM
Group Photo
Grab your banners and signs and gather up for our annual group photo.

3:55 PM
Rob Boston
Writer, Advocate, Activist
Rob is the Senior Adviser at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He is also the chief writer for AU’s “Wall of Separation” blog. Rob has appeared in three documentaries: “We Believe in Dinosaurs,” (2019), “American Heretics” (2019) and “God & Country” (2024).

4:20 PM
Freethought Day Committee
After introducing those who make the day possible, our committee will:
select our door prize winners
year's inductees to our Freethinker Gallery
recognize those we've lost in memoriam

4:35 PM
Jason Torpy
Former Army Captain, President MAAF
Since enlisting in 1994, Jason has addressed secular issues in Army basic training, Army parachutist training, military academy programs, and while deployed to Iraq. Jason has served on the boards of the Secular Coalition for America, the American Humanist Association, and the Humanist Society.

4:55 PM
Fish Stark
Executive Director, American Humanist Association
Fish is an organizer, educator, social entrepreneur, and recently joined the American Humanist Association as its Executive Director. Previously, Fish served as the Director of Programs at Peace First, a global nonprofit that provides training and funding to youth social justice activists.

5:15 PM
Closing Words
Our emcee and David will return to the stage to close out the event.

Register here