Sunny Creek Event for Youth Vendors and the Community

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.“ ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Sunny Creek Trading Post, now located at 317 E. Grand Avenue, will host Little Sunny Creek Young Vendor Market for the third year on the main floor at the City Central venue. The event has grown every year, and there is still time for youth 8-18 years of age to register for this year’s November 14th market.

Elizabeth Threlkeld explains the event began because they wanted to give kids the opportunity to experience what it was like to own their own business, but it ended up being so much more than only that part of the experience. She says, “The kids took it very seriously, and we saw everything from young makers and artists to kids selling baked goods, crafts and other things they had created themselves.”

As the children and youth made sales, their smiles grew. Last year brought more kids to participate and more customers coming specifically to support them. Threlkeld said she could see the confidence growing in these young entrepreneurs: “One of our favorite things is seeing kids who might be shy or unsure of themselves completely come out of their shell and stand a little taller with every sale.”

They are excited to have both returning and new vendors at this year’s event. Those who have been there before will build on what they learned in past years. The youth event even has its own ambassador, Eliana “Ellie” Chrisman. Ellie is the face for the event and makes videos to promote it.

Ellie and the others who participate “learn that entrepreneurship is about much more than simply selling something. They have to think about what they want to sell, how much it costs to make, how to price it, how to display it, how to talk to customers and how to handle money.”  Threlkeld sums it up with, “They also learn something that we think is incredibly important: their ideas have value.”

It is especially valuable that participants learn they can contribute to their community now rather than waiting until they are adults. A new aspect this year will be booths open for kids who offer services rather than products. These might include lawn mowing, house cleaning, raking leaves, cleaning vehicles and more. They can hand out business cards or flyers for customers to contact them.

Community members who come are an important part of the experience. By purchasing at the youth market, customers are telling the kids, “What you made matters, I see you, and I’m willing to support you.” Liz goes on to explain how powerful that is for the youth vendors.

Threlkeld says, “Our mission for this event is bigger than just having a cute kids’ market. We want to create a safe, encouraging place where young people can try something, make something, sell something, meet customers, learn from their mistakes and discover that they are capable of more than they may realize.”   

Youth can sign up for a spot at the market by completing the form at www.sunnycreektradingpost.com/young-vendor-market . There is a small table fee due by November 5th, but vendors keep every dollar they make. This site provides the information youth, and parents will need and includes photos from past markets.

Come out and support these young marketers on Saturday, November 14th, from 11am-1pm at City Central, 400 E Central. Be part of building confidence and entrepreneurship in today’s youth.