📣
COLD SPRING KID'S BUSINESS FAIR IS BACK!
Children's Business Fair Cold Spring, New York
Saturday, June 14, 2025
11:00AM - 3:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
I’m a mom to an 8-year-old and a lifelong entrepreneur. I believe that confidence in business—just like any other skill—comes from real-world experience in a safe, low-stakes environment. That’s why I’m on a mission to help the kids of Philipstown build their entrepreneurial skills, because these are the skills of the future.
At the Cold Spring Kid’s Business Fair, children (6 - 14 years old) get the opportunity to launch their very own business. They develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. It’s an incredible hands-on experience that teaches problem-solving, creativity, and resilience.
This event is made possible by parent volunteers, local business sponsors, and the support of Acton Academy. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs—whether they’re household names like Steve Jobs and Sara Blakely or the thousands of small business owners across the country—are the backbone of innovation, job creation, and strong communities.
I’m looking for parents who want to get involved and businesses that believe in fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs. This is a volunteer-run event, and I do this simply because I believe in the impact it can have on our kids. If you’d like to support the event, let’s connect!
Hosted by
Julie Arora
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 2 fairs
Julie is a passionate entrepreneur, wife, and mom to an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old dog. She believes in the power of possibility and the unique entrepreneurial spirit that makes the U.S. a land of opportunity. Originally from Canada, she moved to the U.S. to chase her business dreams and has built a successful career doing what she loves. Whether in business or life, she thrives on innovation, resilience, and helping others grow.
11 booths participating
Chai Kid
Sly Little Maker
And 9 others.
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.
What is the fee required to join?
$15 per entry if you have your own table and chair, $25 per entry if you need to rent one. We make a donation to St. Mary's for their generosity in hosting us, all money received goes to St. Mary's.
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.
What is the fee required to join?
$15 per entry if you have your own table and chair, $25 per entry if you need to rent one. We make a donation to St. Mary's for their generosity in hosting us, all money received goes to St. Mary's.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
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.
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?
We have tables and chairs to rent, or bring your own. No table cloths will be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
We have tables and chairs to rent, or bring your own. No table cloths will be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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.
