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Youth Venture Hub Children's Business Fair Boydton, Virginia
Saturday, October 25, 2025
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Step into the heart of historic Boydton and witness the excitement as children bring their business dreams to life at our charming, one-day Children’s Business Fair—taking place during Boydton Days on October 25, 2025!
At this special event, young entrepreneurs will:
• Create their own brand
• Design unique products or services
• Craft a marketing strategy
• Open their very own shop for customers
• Design unique products or services
• Craft a marketing strategy
• Open their very own shop for customers
Hosted by the locally-owned Black Swan Center for Excellence, nestled in Boydton’s beloved Historic District, and proudly sponsored by Acton Academy, along with the generous support of our community’s donors and volunteers.
We believe that principled entrepreneurs are true heroes—from the small business owners who brighten our neighborhoods to the innovators who inspire change. These are the people who dream big, create opportunities, and strengthen our communities through hard work and heart.
Finally, something fun and new for the youth in our county! Encourage your children to sign up and explore their day to shine. Come out, support our future leaders, and be inspired by the next generation of dreamers, doers, and difference-makers—right here in our own small-town marketplace.
Hosted by
Catherine Graham
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
✅ Identity verified
🎉 First-time host
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We are planning for 15 businesses, with option on growing larger.
We are planning for 15 businesses, with option on growing larger.
- follow us on Facebook to learn more
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table (to share with one other business), we are also exploring full-cover tenting (depending on sponsorships), and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. In the case of inclement weather an indoor location will be arranged.
The fair will be an outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table (to share with one other business), we are also exploring full-cover tenting (depending on sponsorships), and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. In the case of inclement weather an indoor location will be arranged.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
