The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, along with its sponsors, have partnered for the second-annual Lemonade Day on Saturday, May 18.

The free educational program teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business: a lemonade stand.

Each participant, with the guidance of a mentor, will follow the steps to success by setting a goal, making a plan, working the plan and achieving their dreams.

“Lemonade Day promotes financial literacy and philanthropy,” DACC Executive Director Suzanne Larson said. “Students are taught to ‘save some, spend some and share some.'”

THE WORKBOOKS MENTORS and youths receive with guidelines on participating in Lemonade Day. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Lemonade Day workbooks are designed to teach the common core standards needed to move on in school.

Youth can get creative with their business names, stand designs and even develop their own lemonade recipe.

“They can have a lot of fun while learning valuable lessons along the way,” Larson said. “The social skills that are involved are a very important part.”

Lemonade stands don’t have to be elaborate — it can be as simple as a card table with poster board that features a hand-drawn logo, Larson said.

“Parents don’t have to spend money — everything is free to participate,” she said.

Larson said she appreciated the support she received from several sponsors to continue to provide the opportunity to the local community.

“My financial institutions, banks, credit unions, etc., are all getting behind this,” she said. “They have a mission to educate kids about financial literacy.”

The chamber has opened up registration this year to any community child in first through sixth grade, including homeschool families.

“Kids can be from any of the surrounding areas, including Norway, Aurora, Florence, and Niagara,” she said. “However, each will need a mentor to go through the lessons.”

Participants must go to the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce at 600 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain to register before Friday, April 26. At that time, students will get their workbook packets. All kids will receive a Lemonade Day T-shirt.

In 2023, they had more than 100 children maintaining about 30 lemonade stands.

Last year, young participants also expanded on their sales, offering several different products such as treats and crafts. “One girl sold bird houses — she made $800,” Larson said.

Local non-profits such as Almost Home Animal Shelter, Caring House and veterans’ organizations were among those that benefited from the event.

“It was awesome to see these young entrepreneurs decide where their proceeds would go,” Larson said.

She notes that 100% of the first year participants said “they would do it again.”

“I’m anticipating it’s going to be more than double that this year,” she said. “This program is going to keep growing — it’s going to be big.”

The Lemonade Day team will again choose an Entrepreneur of the Year. Members will visit each location and talk with the business owners before making a selection.

Each member of the winning stand will receive a $100 Walmart gift card.

They will then move on as a nominee for National Lemonade Day in Houston.

While attending last year’s event, Larson met the National Lemonade Day Entrepreneur of the Year. “He had it all, from a jingle to full-color business cards — you name it, he had it going on,” Larson said, adding she thought she saw a future business owner.

The chamber is currently seeking business owners that will allow a lemonade stand to be set up outside their building.

They encourage the community to come out May 18 to support the young entrepreneurs by purchasing lemonade. Students can select their own hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An online map will be available before the event. By clicking on the yellow lemons on the map, customers will be able to find out the name, location and hours of each stand.

“Hopefully local residents will hit up a few as they plan out their day,” she said.

The national program was started in 2007 in Houston, Texas, by Michael Holthouse, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. The idea from the national non-profit grew from his daughter hosting a lemonade stand to raise money to buy a turtle.

Larson found out about the program about three years ago, while traveling in Texas.

“I visit chambers of commerce everywhere, I go to see what they are doing and share what we do locally,” she said.

During the visit, Larson was inspired to bring the experimental learning program to the Dickinson area.

“This is what we are doing here — we are building budding entrepreneurs,” Larson said. “Lemonade Day fits in with this mission. That’s why chambers of commerce across the U.S. are involved in the program.”

For more information on becoming an entrepreneur or to serve as a mentor, go to the Dickinson County Lemonade Day website at https://lemonadeday.org/dickinson-county-mi.

Anyone can call the chamber at 906-774-2002 with questions.

“I’m excited to bring it here,” said Larson. “I’m ready for it.”