Some of the vendors participating in the first Little Kids Business Fair, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 in the Curtis Lumber parking lot. (Submitted photos)

NORWICH — Chenango County youth are encouraged to get in the spirit of entrepreneurship by selling handmade goods at the first Little Kids Business Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 in the Curtis Lumber parking lot, located at 48 Hale Street in Norwich.

Local mom and entrepreneur Vanesa Velazquez came up with the idea to start a vendor fair where kids can set up tables and sell their own baked goods and crafts after her daughter started a lemonade stand.

"Everything came up because of my daughter. She wanted to make a lemonade stand, which she did and she loved it. Then she wanted to do a mini donuts stand and put it at a fair or farmers’ market. But going to an event where there are many adults selling it would be a very difficult environment for her. I knew it was not going to be fair for her," said Velazquez. "So it occurred to me to create a special space to give children the opportunity to be able to create products and show what they can do, and to teach them how to earn money for themselves."

Kids involved in the fair are responsible for coming up with their business idea, crafting a business logo, creating their own products, and running a table at the business fair.