Bard Students Present "Really, Really Free Market" at the College on Sunday October 5

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. —— Bard College students present the “Really, Really Free Market” on Sunday, October 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The goals of the market are to exchange and pass on items that may no longer be wanted but may be of value to someone else, to bring community members together, and to help reduce waste. Between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. there will be live acoustic music indoors. The market is held on the lawn between Bard Hall and the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. In case of rain, the market will be located inside the Multipurpose room in the Campus Center, starting at 5 p.m. Parking for either venue is available in the Fisher Arts or admissions parking lots, located behind the event. 

“Bring whatever you don’t want and take anything you need,” exclaims coorganizer KellyAnne Mifflin. “Or you can just attend and have a free lunch with us outside. Unlike other exchanges, this is not limited to material possessions, but also includes any skills you’d like to offer: art, performance, or information you’d like to share.”

Some examples of the anticipated items and services at the “Really, Really Free Market” are clothes, food, plants, bike repair, seeds, music, old records, furniture, haircuts, house paint, art supplies, refrigerators, and massages. Anything left over at the end of the day will be brought to the Free Use Store on campus or donated to an applicable location.

Really, Really Free Markets (RRFMs) have been springing up in community spaces across the country. They are a place where people bring things they no longer need and leave them for others who might enjoy them. Organizers are planning to hold small workshops, or skillshares, throughout the day on subjects such as cheese making, canning, women’s herbal medicine, bicycle repair, and more, depending on turnout. If you want to teach a small group about something you’re interested in, contact us and we can advertise your workshop. Services can also be exchanged. Come and give free haircuts, five-minute portraits, tarot card readings, or anything of interest. -continued- 

Mifflin explains that students created the market:

 Because there is enough for everyone; because sharing is more fulfilling than owning; because corporations would rather see landfills overflow than see anyone get anything for free; because scarcity is a myth constructed to keep us at the mercy of the economy; because a sunny day outside is better than anything money can buy; because ‘free trade’ is a contradiction of terms; because no one should have to do without food, shelter, entertainment, and community; because life should be a picnic, but it only will be if we make it happen. 

There is no preregistration necessary. Please just attend and bring anything you’d like to share. For additional information, contact KellyAnne Mifflin at 301-518-4405 or e-mail [email protected], or Basha Smolen at 617-285-1432 or email [email protected]. 

This event was last updated on 10-03-2008

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