What is the Avila Beach Children’s Business Fair?

The Avila Beach Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. 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 75 businesses (based on space and availability, this number could change)

Where should I begin? 

Start with watching the video on our home page to see what the fair looked like the past several years and what children were selling and how it was displayed. 

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

Applications 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. Each individual participating needs to purchase a $10 entry ticket. This cost is considered the booth rental fee. No more than 3 participants per business. All applications are reviewed and applicants will be notified if they are selected to participate. Applicants are selected by host based on several different criteria. Unfortunately we always receive more applications than space allows for but you will automatically be added to the waitlist if you don't get in.  

RULES & GUIDELINES FOR ENTREPRENEURS:

The entrepreneur is responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the customer. 

Age Categories: 6-8, 9-10, 11-13, and 14-17

What is on the application?

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their 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. Think of what sets your product apart in case this comes up. What is your differentiator? 

How will the fair be set up?

The fair will be an event with individual booths. Each business will be given a booth with an approximately 8-foot table (to share with one other business). Chairs will not be provided unless specifically requested on-site. Chairs are limited so please bring your own if you need a chair. Table cloths and booth business name display signs will be provided. The fair is outside in the garden area of the Avila Community Center.  Shopping bags will be will be provided on a first come first service basis to shoppers, so if businesses want to ensure shoppers have bags, please have some extras on hand and be prepared to provide them.  

Will there be restrooms at the facility?

Yes, there are restrooms on the first and second floor of the facility 

Parking?

Parking is very limited in Avila Beach. The back and sides of the aquarium will be open for setting up prior to the event. We recommend you unload your items and park in the adjacent lot. Like the aquarium we think keeping the easy access spaces available for guests helps encourage more foot traffic. Please park, and encourage shoppers, to park in the public pay lot. There may be some street parking available but that is also limited. 

Will electricity be available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the majority of booths. *If you MUST have electricity, please contact us to see if we can make special arrangements but electricity is not guaranteed .

What are the rules? 

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. The products should be handmade. Reselling pre-made or purchased products is not allowed. 

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.

Business owners are responsible for all monetary transactions.

AWARD PROCESS & CRITERIA

An awards ceremony will be held immediately following the Children’s Business Fair to recognize outstanding creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

All participating businesses will be automatically entered into the competition. Booths will be evaluated by a panel of local community entrepreneurs and business leaders based on the criteria outlined below.

Judging Criteria

Judges will visit each booth throughout the event and evaluate entries using the following categories:

There will be one winner per age group in each category.

PRIZES & RECOGNITION

Category Winners

Winners in each category will receive:

Most Original Business Award – Grand Prize

One business per age group will be selected as Best Overall Business and will receive:

A one-month opportunity to sell their product in the Central Coast Aquarium Gift Shop.
Products will be offered either:

This unique opportunity provides young entrepreneurs with real-world retail experience, professional exposure, and hands-on learning in sales, marketing, and customer engagement.

PARTICIPATION RECOGNITION

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their creativity, hard work, and entrepreneurial effort.

No event-sponsored food or beverages will be sold at the fair, except for items sold by participating children’s business booths as part of their approved business activities. A water fountain and bottle-filling station will be available inside the aquarium for all attendees and participants. A food vendor will be on-site for guests to purchase lunch; vendor details will be announced once confirmed.

*All FAQs are subject to change, if you have specific questions please direct those to kateg@centralcoastaquarium.com