In the mid 1990s, then Business Entrepreneurship Teacher, and current School Board President, Lila Tucker began the Peddler’s Market, a tradition that would last until her retirement in 2013.

During this project, students learned important business skills and economic concepts in a hands-on way. They took part in making pitches, doing marketing research and establishing pricing strategies. Staff members at the time also found enjoyment in the project, including Early Release Coordinator Chris Lindley.

“By the early 2000s, this event was highly anticipated by students and staff. It was extremely fun to see what the different booths were offering for sale. Everyone brought some extra money that day! You could expect awesome food choices, lots of fun games, the ‘Jail’ where you could pay to incarcerate someone for 10 minutes and sometimes booths offering homemade arts and crafts or other items. It was like a carnival-festival experience,” said Lindley.

Now after a decade, Lindley is giving the Peddler’s Market another shot.

Lindley has overseen the planning of monthly half-day activities since the start of the school year, laying out the objective for students to learn something valuable during each project. This same intention will be carried throughout his Peddler’s Market’s revival, which will take place on Wednesday, April 5.

Students were informed of the upcoming event back in December and have begun planning loosely during their homeroom periods. This month’s early release day, Wednesday, February 1, however, served as an official prep day for the Peddler’s Market.

Community members who have experience in different areas of the business field came to speak with students about a variety of topics relating to the Peddler’s Market. Five different meetings were held, homeroom students splitting up to cover all their bases. The meetings focused on things like marketing, merchandising, business management, finances and advertising and media relations.

The goal of the Peddler’s Market is for students to gain employability skills. Lindley hopes everyone will approach the it with enthusiasm and an open mind.

“Our expectations are that this will be a phenomenal learning experience for both our students and staff,” said Lindley.