Does it cost money?
Nope.

Who can participate?
Those attending Tacoma Public Schools.

Does parking cost money at Waterfront Market at Ruston?
NO! Not anymore. Parking is now free everywhere down at Ruston. 

How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?

Applications open 10am Nov. 8th and close when all spots have been filled. Applications must be submitted online here. Please submit ONE application PER business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child's information. It's highly suggested that there be no more than 3 participants per business.

When will I hear back after applying?
You will receive an acceptance or declination email directly from this site no more than 24 hours after you've submitted the application. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDERS! One week prior to the event I send out detailed information packets around all-things: directions, restrooms, set-up, rules, a site map of where each business is located, my contact information to reach me day of, etc.

I do my best to limit the same business concept to deter too much competition between those companies and to allow for each business to try to make as much money as possible. The most popular ideas are crochet, 3D printed toys, and slime. 

The fair will be indoors at the Waterfront Market at Ruston. If your application is accepted, you will be emailed at the email you provided on the application and sent a site map with booth locations about a week in advance. Each business is given about ten feet of space alongside other vendors. This will allow for one rectangle six-foot table; however, you may use another if you wish so long as it fits in that space. I am not a perfectionist and if it's smaller or a little larger than that, then that's ok and it all works itself out.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

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.

Children should fill out the application, with little or no parent help. The expectation is that the children do as much as possible by themselves. 

Young people are the decision makers in everything regarding their business. As adults, we know a lot and get excited for our kids so we want to give suggestions and advice on what to do or how to do it. But the magic is in letting the young people create something themselves, in the way they uniquely do it, and celebrating that. You would be surprised at how well they do when we take a step back and let them do their thing, and how well their ideas are received whether it’s a product or service, to the rest of the public. Please support them by letting them lead. They are getting real-life practice in decision making during the prep phase of the fair and real-life practice in execution of their plans, selling, presenting, and counting money on the event day. It’s not about perfection either, just progress. We can learn from all the things that come up and we don’t want to try and control that! Just go with the flow :)

THANK YOU!
To Hilltop Business Association for being the Tacoma Children's Business Fair's nonprofit fiscal sponsor and for Seattle Credit Union for sponsoring this event through your generous microgrant program. Without this support the fair could not happen! Thank you!!