The Adams County Farmers Market is hosting its 5th annual Young Entrepreneurs Day on Saturday, August 17th from 8am-1pm at the Gettysburg Rec Park.
The Adams County Farmers Market is holding its popular Young Entrepreneurs Day again for the 5th time on Saturday, August 17th from 8am-1pm at the Gettysburg Rec Park. Young Entrepreneurs Day is an event where local children can sign up and sell their own creations at the farmers market alongside the regular lineup of market vendors. The goal of Young Entrepreneurs Day is to help children practice salesmanship, learn to make change, build confidence, and foster creativity, as they launch their own ‘small’ businesses. This event has welcomed nearly 100 business-minded youngsters since it began in 2019.
2024 will mark the largest turnout of young entrepreneurs in the event’s 5-year span. 50 kids will be running 30 separate booths at the market. Over the past 5 years that this event has been held, participating children have collectively earned over $15,000 in revenue for their enterprises.
At Young Entrepreneurs Day, children exhibit creations including fiber arts, bookmarks, dog treats, stress balls, slime, and the quintessential kid business, the lemonade stand. Young Entrepreneurs Day at the farmers market is free to participate in. However, young children must have a parent or guardian present for the duration of the event. While there are no more spaces available for 2024, kids and families who are interested are encouraged to visit the market and check out what other kids have come up with.
In 2021, kid-run businesses were supported at the state level by the passing of House Bill 664, which allows children to operate lemonade stands and other small businesses without receiving a business license from their local municipality or homeowners’ association. This legislation has helped make events like Young Entrepreneurs Day easier to coordinate.
Event organizers want Young Entrepreneurs Day to be the first step for local children to start their own businesses down the road. “One day the farmers market might inspire a lifetime of entrepreneurship.” continued Djalal. “Across the country, many hugely successful businesses have been started by young individuals. It can happen in Adams County, too.”