On Saturday, May 16, from 1–4 p.m. young entrepreneurs will come together for the fifth annual Howard County Children’s Business Fair, an outdoor marketplace for kid-run businesses, handmade products, treats, and more.
Young creators and entrepreneurs from ages 6 through 15 years of age will be open for business at this one-day marketplace taking place at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District. Participants have created a product or service, built a marketing strategy for a brand they have developed themselves, and prepared for the fair all on their own. The marketplace is also a competition, with judges determining the most innovative and well-executed ideas.
The young business owners are fully responsible for running their booths, including setup, sales, customer interactions, and service. The goal is to create a hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and creativity for the young person. If a parent is seen selling to a customer or promoting the child’s product, they will be disqualified from the fair and the competition.
The event regularly attracts around 500 attendees, among them local families, teachers, and community leaders, all gathered to enjoy the creativity and hustle of the children in their midst. The marketplace is free to attend, hosted at Color Burst Park with support from Howard Hughes Communities.
The Howard County Children’s Business Fair has been recognized by American Girl, earning praise for creating hands-on, confidence-building experiences for young innovators. A Children’s Business Fair also takes place in Baltimore City at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, now in its 9th year.
