Quaker Barter Fair

An opportunity to trade objects and services without using common currency and to support “Buy Nothing Day,” a national effort to provide alternatives to the media driven consumerism of “Black Friday.”  This also offers the community an opportunity to share in the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, stewardship, and community by creating a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place value on objects and services within our community.

We will also share a meal of left-overs from Thanksgiving feasts, so all attendees are invited to bring left overs to share.

To get involved, just come.  Bring a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display your goods or a sign that describes your service(s).  Bring some food to share, if you wish.  CHILDREN ARE WELCOME!  Children are often the best models of how this can work.  They have the ability to add value to an item by describing potential uses, and the creativity to negotiate three-way trades.

There will be a designated area for “free” items that you are willing to give to whomever wants them.  Visitors may then use such items to barter and trade with if they wish. At the end of the day, whatever is left on the free table will be donated to the women’s center.

No money will be exchanged for services or goods.  The purpose of this event is to challenge those who choose to participate to NOT SHOP or BUY anything on this day after Thanksgiving.