Applications Now Open for Booths at HayCo Pride’s Queer Culture Celebration!
HayCo Pride is now accepting applications from individuals, organizations, and businesses that might make a good fit for a booth at the Community Free Market/Resource Fair (FMRF) that’s happening at our Queer Culture Celebration on October 5th.
Click to Skip Ahead:
- About the Event
- What is a Free Market?
- Why a Free Market?
- What to Expect at the Free Market
- How to Apply for a Booth
About the Event
| Queer Culture Celebration | Free Market/Resource Fair |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 10am-5pm HART Theatre 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville | Set-Up Time: 10am-12pm Market Hours: 12pm-5pm Tear-Down Time: 5pm-6pm 1 Shelton St, Waynesville |
All of the programs of the Queer Culture Celebration have been shaped with the intention of (1)nurturing connection through meeting the material and social needs of our community members, (2)preserving and amplifying the lived histories and voices of our neighbors, and (3)co-creating a culture by weaving the threads of our vision for a Haywood County where we can all thrive and live with Pride.
For more information, check out the Save the Date.
What is a Free market?
Our Free Market/Resource Fair is inspired by Really, Really Free Markets and other mutual aid projects that have been organized in communities across the globe since the beginning of the 21st century. These markets are community-driven events where goods and services are freely given and shared with no money involved. Unlike traditionally transactional markets that revolve around profit and consumerism, Free Markets emphasize generosity, solidarity, and the power of mutual aid.
The Free Market/Resource Fair is our proactive way of setting a positive example that challenges the cultural myths of scarcity and competition: a model where resources are shared unconditionally and the priority is improving the collective lives of all our neighbors.
why a free market?
On one hand, the Free Market provides a platform that allows us to demonstrate our values and our shared commitment to co-creating a community where we can all thrive, by…
- Promoting Inclusion & Accessibility: Free Markets reduce the barriers to accessing critical goods and services that are often most out of reach for community members at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and oppression due to poverty, race, religion, etc. The inclusivity of this market ensures that everyone can benefit, regardless of their budget.
- Encouraging Engagement: Community members participate in the market by actively engaging with one another, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
- Nurturing Networks: Connections that are catalyzed at the Free Market can lead to ongoing support, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives long after the event is over.
On another hand, the Free Market advances our mission at HayCo Pride of working towards an inclusive and safe community for the people of Haywood County through culture, history, and connection, by…
- Challenging the Culture of Extraction/Transaction: The Free Market offers a counter-cultural alternative that emphasizes community care over profit and resonates with HayCo Pride’s commitment to nurturing spaces that center joy and reciprocity.
- Strengthening Connections: The Free Market brings together diverse groups of people across age, race, class, gender, and lived experiences to share resources and support one another, fostering the resiliency, safety, and inclusion inherent to HayCo Pride’s vision.
- Addressing Intersections: Research shows that people who identify as LGBT+ are more at risk of being poor, and that individuals who identify as transgender are much more likely to live in poverty than straight, cisgender individuals. The Free Market addresses the intersection of economic oppression with our lived experiences and provides essential resources to reduce obstacles that prevent our community from thriving.
what to expect at the free market
The Free Market will serve as a safe and supportive space for all of our community members, and especially for the LGBTQIAP2S+ community, where folks can access the resources they need and make connections that deepen their sense of belonging right here at home.
A few examples of what will be offered at the Free Market include, but are not limited to:
- Legal Aid and Notaries: for support with important (even life-changing) documents related to name changes, housing, etc.
- Health Screenings: screenings for preventable health conditions like Diabetes, as well as sexually transmitted infections like HIV.
- Mental Health Support: options and information pertaining to peer support, counseling, support groups, and other resources for mental health.
- Free Food & Groceries: hot meals on site in addition to fresh produce and other groceries to take home!
- Wellness & Personal Care Services: free chair massages, gender affirming haircuts, reiki healing, and more (pending availability).
- Interactive Workshops: hands-on workshops covering topics such as sustainable living, creative arts, community activism, and health education.
- Material Goods: clothing, household items, books, and so much more.
How to apply: you’re invited
We are inviting local vendors, artists, and organizations to join us and contribute to this unique and impactful event. Your nonprofit, businesses, or group of friends can use this space to share your skills, products, or knowledge – whether you are a cosmetology student, a crochet hobbyist, or a professional chef. By participating, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your engagement with folks from different walks of life across Haywood County, demonstrate your commitment to community care, and build lasting relationships that expand your potential for future impact.
If you’re interested in joining the Free Market/Resource Fair in October, you can fill out the Booth Application Form at this link.