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EARLY REGISTRATION STARTS JUNE 20, 2026!
Acton Children's Business Fair Frederick, MD
Saturday, November 7, 2026
12:00PM - 3:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Join Us for the 6th Annual Actong Children's Business Fair Frederick, MD
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
At the Children’s Business Fair, young entrepreneurs develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy—and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We’ll host up to 100 kid-run businesses at this exciting event:
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Carroll Creek Linear Park, near the C. Burr Artz Library
Address: 110 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Carroll Creek Linear Park, near the C. Burr Artz Library
Address: 110 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
Who Can Participate?
The fair is open to children ages 6–17, or up to 12th grade for Frederick County Public School students.
Registration Details
- Early registration opens: June 20, 2026
- Registration closes: September 30, 2026
- Notification of accepted businesses will start on: August 1, 2026
- A nonrefundable $10 contribution will be collected from each accepted business to confirm their participation.
- Participants will need to fill out a survey, which will serve as a reconfirmation deadline: September 30, 2026
To help secure funding for future fairs, basic demographic data will be collected from accepted businesses. No personal or individual data will be shared—only grouped, anonymous results will be used for reporting purposes.
Following the fair, all participants will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey.
About the Children’s Business Fair in Frederick
The Global STEM & AR Outreach Foundation, Inc., founded and launched this local fair in Frederick, MD, in 2021 and has coordinated it ever since.
The Global STEM & AR Outreach Foundation, Inc., founded and launched this local fair in Frederick, MD, in 2021 and has coordinated it ever since.
The event is also supported by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous contributions of our donors and volunteers. We believe that entrepreneurs make sacrifices, innovate, create jobs, and lead with purpose.
About the Organizing Foundation
The Global STEM & AR Outreach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
The Global STEM & AR Outreach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
Vision
We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to grow into a confident, innovative, and emotionally resilient individual. By fostering curiosity and emotional intelligence through STEM, the Arts, and Reading, we strive to nurture lifelong learners who lead with empathy and create with purpose.
We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to grow into a confident, innovative, and emotionally resilient individual. By fostering curiosity and emotional intelligence through STEM, the Arts, and Reading, we strive to nurture lifelong learners who lead with empathy and create with purpose.
Mission
Our mission is to inspire and empower young minds by providing engaging opportunities in STEM, the Arts, and Reading, while nurturing emotional intelligence. We strive to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence, equipping every child with the skills and resilience to thrive in school, in life, and in their communities.
Our mission is to inspire and empower young minds by providing engaging opportunities in STEM, the Arts, and Reading, while nurturing emotional intelligence. We strive to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence, equipping every child with the skills and resilience to thrive in school, in life, and in their communities.
Please be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for full event guidelines and participation requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. 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 100 businesses.
We will accept up to 100 businesses.
Can younger children participate?
Only children ages 6-17 or up to 12th grade for FCPS students can participate.
Can children who did not register for the fair help?
No, only the children who register can participate.
Where should I begin?
Start with this resources page Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC - Resources. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs.
Start with this resources page Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC - Resources. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
The 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.
The 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:
- 1. What product or service do you plan to sell?
- 2. What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
- 3. How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
- 4. How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
- 5. 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 jewelry businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out.
Two jewelry businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out.
Edible items?
To support local restaurants and shops, children are no longer permitted to sell store-bought edible items.
A maximum of 10 “homemade” edible businesses will be accepted. You are fully responsible for complying with all city and county regulations. For information on what is permitted under Frederick County’s Cottage Food Laws, please visit:
https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/681/Cottage-Food-Business
*If your child already holds a valid food-selling license for the City of Frederick, please provide a copy. Upon approval, your child may be permitted to sell their food items.
**NOTE: You will need to email us a copy of your Cottage-Food-Business Label by September 30, 2026.
No edible animal items are permitted.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will share a 6 to 10-foot table with another business. Each business will be provided with 1-2 chairs. Tents will not be permitted. Tablecloths will not be provided. We are unable to accommodate businesses that require electricity.
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will share a 6 to 10-foot table with another business. Each business will be provided with 1-2 chairs. Tents will not be permitted. Tablecloths will not be provided. We are unable to accommodate businesses that require electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide electricity to businesses.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide electricity to businesses.
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 future participation.
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 future participation.
Parents of younger children may sit at the table with their children, but the children should be responsible for setup, customer interactions, and sales.
Parents may help their children fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible on their own.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer, along with 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, along with 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.
