Andover Children's Business Fair
Sunday, April 20, 2025
9:30AM - 1:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Give children the opportunity to launch their very own startup business!
At the Andover Children's Business Fair, kids will develop a brand, create a product or service, design a marketing strategy, and open for business at our one-day marketplace.
📅 Date: April 20, 2025
📍 Location: Andover South Elementary School
⏰ Start Time: 9:30 AM
🎪 Booth Availability: Up to 36 booths
📍 Location: Andover South Elementary School
⏰ Start Time: 9:30 AM
🎪 Booth Availability: Up to 36 booths
Following the fair, join us for the 4th Annual Andover Easter Egg Hunt, featuring 3,000+ eggs for up to 150 children!
📝 Egg Hunt Registration Link Release: March 1, 2025
📝 Egg Hunt Registration Link Release: March 1, 2025
Event Sponsors & Supporters
This event is proudly sponsored by Firefly Youth Community Service, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Firefly Family Montessori, and made possible by the generosity of our donors and volunteers. We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
From renowned entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey to the thousands of small business owners across the country, these individuals make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs, and serve their communities.
How to Participate in the Fair
1️⃣ Register for a Booth:
- Complete the application form on our website.
- Limited spots! Only 36 booths are available—first come, first served! If all spots are filled, we won’t be able to accommodate additional requests.
2️⃣ Event Leadership & Organization:
- The fair is organized and hosted by volunteer adolescents and children under the guidance of the Firefly Youth Community Service board of directors. This nonprofit supports youth leadership and event organization skills.
- If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to us at fycs.ngo@gmail.com. Your volunteer hours will be recorded and can be used for community service recognition. We appreciate your support!
3️⃣ Donation & Booth Confirmation:
- A minimum donation of $25 is required to secure a booth.
- After donating, you will receive a certificate via email—please bring this to the event as proof of your booth ownership.
- Payment Methods:
- Zelle: Send your donation to fycs.ngo@gmail.com (Please remember to include booth name in the Zelle message).
- Credit Card: Donate through this link: Zeffy Donation Form.
- No Refunds: If you cannot attend on the day of the fair, the donation is non-refundable.
Where Does Your Donation Go?
All proceeds collected by Firefly Youth Community Service will be used for:
✅ Purchasing pre-filled Easter eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt
✅ Covering event insurance
✅ Paying for government fees
✅ Supporting future community service events
✅ Purchasing pre-filled Easter eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt
✅ Covering event insurance
✅ Paying for government fees
✅ Supporting future community service events
Next Steps
📩 Check your email after registration and donation for further instructions.
🙏 Be kind and respectful to all volunteers and event helpers—we appreciate their hard work in making this event a success!
🙏 Be kind and respectful to all volunteers and event helpers—we appreciate their hard work in making this event a success!
We can’t wait to see your young entrepreneurs shine! 🌟
Hosted by
AIHUA JIANG
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
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 kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
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 is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
What product or service do you plan to sell?
What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
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.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be set up with 36 booths/tables next to the Easter Egg Hunt Area. Please bring your own chair, table and materials as they will not be provided. The Easter Egg Hunt will be located in a trail/forest that is safe and protected. Arrive at 8:30-volunteers will guide you to your designated table area and help you set up.
Will electricity be available?
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. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
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.
