Dear Editor,
After having read your article [Wednesday] on the use of the Pop Up Park, there is now uncertainty cast over the future of The Young Entrepreneur Fair.
Last year, I organized four days of Family fun at the Pop Up Park. There were dance, talent and our international diversity showcased and the first Young Entrepreneur Fair. Based on the feedback from the community and the excitement witnessed, the latter proved to be the event most valued by our kids so I’ve been working on bringing this back to the Pop Up Park this year.
The parents of kids with ideas will most likely relate to not being able to find many real life opportunities to make their kids proud of their thinking at an early age. There is a lot out there to nurture sports and arts – so why not provide the opportunity to make a beautiful object, create a useful concept or find a charitable mission and get feedback from the community?
I have developed initiatives to help local youth take those first steps towards entrepreneurship – particularly helpful to the kids whose parents don’t have this background to provide guidance. Kids who visit the fair can make and sell on the spot with materials provided by us. Or prepare beforehand to share a table and sell creations made from materials provided by the local designer Hadley Pollet.
Who am I? A resident with ideas and related experience. I do not charge entrance fees or make money in any way from this event. I created “New Canaan Parents 4 Kids” to try to make a positive impact in our community through innovation.
The Pop Up Park should be allowed to support our kids in this particular event. Local businesses are welcome to come in and see whether there are products they might like to see in their shops. Even better would be for local businesses to mentor our youngsters.
If more people/organizations come up with ideas to connect and improve the community experience, and are willing to do so without personal/organizational financial gain, they should certainly be allowed to do that.
I hope the Young Entrepreneur Fair is allowed to be held this year at the Pop Up Park and at least be given time to re-access and find an alternative location for next year, if needed.
Yours Sincerely,
Kremena Doust
New Canaan Parents 4 Kids