Elora Chaney sold chicken eggs to help fund materials for her business, Stringing Ideas, at the Kosciusko County Kids Business Fair held at North Webster Community Center March 19.

Text and photos by David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Community Center was abuzz with activity from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, as the Kosciusko County Kids Business Fair filled 70 booths, more than double the number of past fairs, according to NWCC Event Organizer Mike Kissinger.

“We’re doing a better job getting the word out,” said Kissinger, who also credited the kids and their families with helping spread the word on social media. “Family are amazing buyers,” he added. And the families were out in force, filling the NWCC parking lot and patronizing not only their own children’s booths, but others’ as well.

There was plenty to choose from, making for a colorful — and flavorful — array of wares: Team Tie-Dye’s T-shirts were just across the aisle from The Popcorn Unicorn. Anyone in need of a light saber needed look no further than Simon Dawson’s Sy-Fy Weapons booth, and if you had an itch you couldn’t reach, Amelia and Adam Wallach’s Smart Scratchers were just the remedy.

The fair gives kids an “out of the classroom, real life education,” said Kissinger. Entries needed an “investment” of $10 for a booth and also had to “give back” in some way, either by asking for donations or giving a percentage of their earnings to a cause of their choosing. For example, Kate Rivir chose to give a portion of sales from Kate’s Crazy Cool Crafts to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County.

Some repeat entrants put their prior knowledge to use and focused on popular items from previous fairs. Dawson, for example, noticed his light sabers, made using LED lights and PVC piping, outsold other items in 2020, so this year they dominated his booth.

The fair was divided into three groups: kindergarten to second grade, third to fifth and sixth to eighth grades. Prizes were given in each group for highest business potential, best presentation and most originality. This year third through fifth graders submitted so many entries their category was divided into two groups.

Another award, the Don Minear Memorial Award, named for a keen supporter of the fair, was given to an entrant who did not score high enough to win another award but nonetheless displayed dedication and a good work ethic.

The award winners will be announced at a later date.

Giesla Suplee, seated, received a demonstration of a back scratcher from Amelia Wallach, right, who along with her brother Adam created Smart Scratchers.

Simon Dawson’s Sy-Fi Weaponry booth focused on light sabers after he noticed them selling well at a previous fair.

Adam Korenstra entertained shoppers at the business fair while also selling his own CDs.