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Applications are now open! Submit early to ensure your business will be considered for this year's Fair. See you in October!
Triangle Children's Business Fair
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids (ages 6-14) will develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host up to 80 booths at the 9th annual event at Knightdale Station Park on October 17, 2026, from 10am - 2 pm. Applications will open on June 1. You will be able to apply using the button above. After your application is approved, you will need to complete the participant packet and submit your $25 deposit. The participant packet will be emailed in August, if approved, following the review of applications.
After all 80 slots are filled, new applicants will be added to a waiting list. If there are cancellations, waiting list members will be notified in the order applications were received.
Follow our Facebook below for important updates!
This event is sponsored by America's Future, the John William Pope Foundation, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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 Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey 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 community.
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Lindsay Hollandsworth
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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 entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children 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 entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children 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 80 businesses.
We will accept up to 80 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?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table and full-cover tenting. Tablecloths and chairs will not be provided. We will not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity due to the venue's limitations.
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table and full-cover tenting. Tablecloths and chairs will not be provided. We will not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity due to the venue's limitations.
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.
Children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their child fill out the application and sit in the booth with them, 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.
