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Thank you for joining us for our Summer Children's Business Fair. This fair will be joined with our Back to School Bash- bringing in even more families for this one-day event. We can't want to have you at this event!
Children's Business Fair Dalton, Ohio
Saturday, July 26, 2025
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Children develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
This event is sponsored by the Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, Upward Bound Youth, Acton Academy, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.
Hosted by
Lori Colon
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.9 (8)
3 booths participating
Lemonade Sno-Cones
Scene and Things
And 1 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Playlab Children’s Business Fair?
The Playlab Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. We are a part of the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, joined with Acton Business Fair, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses here in Wayne County.
The Playlab Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. We are a part of the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, joined with Acton Business Fair, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses here in Wayne County.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
We will accept up to 30 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.
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.
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:
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.
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 a indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a 10x10 booth. 6ft tables are rentable for an extra charge of $10, and chairs $5, and table cloths will not be provided, you must provide your own.
The fair will be a indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a 10x10 booth. 6ft tables are rentable for an extra charge of $10, and chairs $5, and table cloths will not be provided, you must provide your own.
Will electricity be available?
We are limited to accommodate businesses requiring electricity, please email our CEO, Lori Colon @ loric.wccsp@gmail.com for electricity needs.
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.
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 original 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.
