Rules & Guidelines

PARTICIPATION

1. Children must be 5 to 17 years old and able to run the booth without their adults interacting with the customers AT ALL. Parents can assist their child when needed, but children must be able to:
   1. Handle food independently,
   2. Take/fulfill orders and answer questions,
   3. Take payment and make change.
      If your child cannot do these things with minimal help, either pare down the offering, or wait for a future date when they are able to do so. 
      

2. Booths must stay fully set up for the entire market duration. Early breakdown is not permitted and may result in ineligibility for future market events.

3. We welcome children with disabilities or special needs to participate with any necessary parental assistance! Please notify us at check-in.

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. DO NOT answer questions, take orders, handle food or money. You can assist your child when needed, but CANNOT engage customers directly.
2. Parents CANNOT handle food. 
3. Parents CANNOT take payment. If you choose to use payment apps, teach your child how to use it beforehand.
4. If there’s no child in the booth, no sales should occur. A “Be Back Soon” sign should be placed on the table when the child is not present.
5. Parents are required to remain on the venue premises throughout the duration of the market.
6. It’s your responsibility to make sure all adults in your party are aware of and agree to the rules.
7. No smoking, vaping, or alcohol at the market.
8. Sit in the back of the booth, read a book, and act like you’re not listening! Removing yourself (figuratively speaking) is what makes this an incredible learning experience for your child.

PRODUCTS

1. Children can sell (almost) anything! It can be handmade, store-bought, food, games or services. **Food is not permitted at all markets. Check the market page for restrictions**
   1. No raw food allowed.
   2. No fundraisers allowed.
   3. No MLM’s allowed.
   4. No animals allowed.
2. Children may NOT sell goods on behalf of their parents.
3. Children must have an active role in the acquisition and/or production of their product.
4. Every booth must have a child selling something.
5. The market does not regulate what is sold.

REGISTER

1. All children must register online.
2. $25 for each booth.
3. Your first market of the year includes a book & one t-shirt, given to you at the market.
4. There are no waiting lists or standby booths, even if there are cancellations.
5. NO REFUNDS (or credits) will be given for any reason. No exceptions.
6. Registrations are not transferrable to other markets but you can give to a friend and let us know their name and email.

CHECK-IN 

1. You may not pull a car into the market area to unload your items. Wagons work great! 
2. You must have your canopy at check-in to be assigned a space. If not using one, bring your table.
3. If you’d like to be next to someone, simply check in together.
4. Booths are not pre-assigned, and you CANNOT choose your space. 
5. You must unload and park where indicated on the “Market Layout & Parking” link found on each market page to respect the venue’s requirements.

BOOTHS

1. All booths are a 10′ x 10′ space and all belongings must fit within that space. 
2. It is one registration per booth, regardless of how many children are selling in it. (You only sell out of one side of the booth.)
3. Children may sell different products in the same booth. 
4. Children bring all their own supplies (table, canopy, chairs, etc.).
5. Canopies are recommended but not required and MUST be weighted down. Umbrellas work too!
6. If children sell anything edible, they must bring a trash can for their customers.
7. Power is not provided, nor is there access. You may bring a generator and will be placed on the perimeter to minimize noise.
8. No trailers or carts larger than 3’x3’ are allowed, or anything that needs to be brought in by a vehicle. 
9. No pets allowed.
   

SELLING

1. The market’s main requirement is that the kids must run the booth and be present the entire time.
2. Children must sell at their booth (no walking the aisles) and there’s no yelling to attract customers.
3. Please wear gloves if selling food.
4. Bartering is NOT allowed. 
5. If you sell out, you CANNOT break down your booth until the end. Put a Sold Out sign on your table and enjoy the rest of the market. If you leave early, it may result in your child being ineligible to participate in future events.
   

MARKETING

1. CEM implements a strategic marketing plan for each market to maximize visibility and attendance. Our efforts include social media promotion, digital flyers, outreach to local media, event calendar listings, and targeted Facebook ads to reach the right audience.

2. To further boost traffic, we encourage vendors to share the digital flyer provided on each market page and let friends, family, and customers know what you’ll be selling and where to find you. Engaging on social media—such as posting updates or going live during the event—can also help attract more visitors to your booth!

CLEAN UP

1. You are responsible to haul out all your own trash (there usually aren’t dumpsters on site). Leave your booth space clean!

WEATHER

1. The market operates rain or shine, with cancellations occurring only in the event of severe weather (extreme conditions posing safety risks). Cancellation decisions are posted 24 hours prior to the market on the website market page.  If canceled, there are no refunds, rescheduling, or credits to other markets.
2.