East Petersburg Elementary School (EPES), 5700 Lemon St., will host its annual Entrepreneur Fair on Friday, March 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. The free event will feature more than 50 student-run businesses and nearly 100 participants, making it the largest fair since it was created in 2008.

Every year, EPES students are given an opportunity to make their own unique businesses prior to the fair. The young entrepreneurs are given full creative liberty to design a product of their choosing as they learn about fundamental business concepts such as supply and demand, profit and loss, budgeting and inventory management. In the past, students have created businesses to sell handcrafted jewelry, baked goods, snow cones, flowers and artwork. Each vendor will retain 100% of the profits from sales on the day of the fair.

"The kids really enjoy creating a product. They get excited when they learn about making a profit, and it's a huge confidence builder," said Liz Gee, vice president of the EPES PTO. Gee co-chairs the Entrepreneur Fair with the PTO's treasurer, Michele Brenneman.

In February, as students developed their businesses, they attended a mentor session at EPES that featured guest speaker Bennett Dufrene. Dufrene, a 13-year-old entrepreneur from Landisville, started his own business four years ago to sell ice cream at local community events. Known to many local residents as Mr. Ice Cream Kid, Dufrene gave students advice and shared his experience operating a successful business.

This year, vendors at the Entrepreneur Fair will be judged by student participants instead of PTO members. Awards such as best in show, most creative product and Mister and Miss Salesman will be decided by popular vote. A fourth award will be given to the most profitable business after an expense report and receipts are submitted to the PTO. Each award recipient will receive a certificate and a gift card to Son's Ice Cream.

"The fair is always very well attended by the community. All are welcome," said Brenneman. "We encourage kids to invite people and promote the event by sending emails and hanging up posters in school, so it also gives them a chance to learn about marketing and how to get the word out."

Many former EPES students such as Libby Rannels enjoy returning to the fair as adults to support the vendors and browse their products. Rannels, who participated in the Entrepreneur Fair in 2009 as a student, said the event gave her an opportunity to learn skills that continue to serve her in adult life. "It was good to learn customer service and how to talk to people. These are necessary skills no matter what path you choose," Rannels added. "I'm glad (EPES) is still doing it, and I love to go as a shopper now."

For more information, search for "East Petersburg Elementary PTO" on Facebook.