JACKSONVILLE, AL — The Jacksonville Community Center was bustling with excitement today as Jacksonville Parks & Recreation (PARD) hosted its first annual Kiddo’s Fair and Market Event. Held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 501 A Alexandria Road SW, the event provided young entrepreneurs, all 17 and under, with a platform to showcase and sell their products.
Visitors enjoyed a diverse selection of handmade and homegrown goods, including art, baked goods, candy apples, crochet items, fresh eggs, bracelets, and jewelry. To add to the fun, Kona Ice was also present, offering refreshing treats to attendees.
Sara Melton, events coordinator with Jacksonville PARD, shared her inspiration for the event, explaining that the idea came to her while driving. “I was getting excited for spring and thinking about the farmers’ market, and then I thought, ‘We should have a farmers’ market for children.’ It would give them a chance to practice their entrepreneurial skills, learn to manage money, interact with customers, and create and sell their own products,” Melton said.
With 31 young vendors participating this year, the event was a major success. Melton expressed hopes of making it an annual tradition and possibly adding a holiday market in the future. “I would love to do one at Christmastime,” she said.
The free event allowed the community to support young business owners, with all proceeds going directly to the kids and their ventures.
