It was early in the Little Lemonade Legends contest at the Aldergrove plaza, and Elliott had the contented look of someone with a well-filled tip jar.
“Business is really good,” he told the Langley Advance Times.
“We’ve already got about $55 for tips.”
Elliott, an Aldergrove boy, was using a secret recipe that changed the colour of his lemonade from yellow, to pink, to purple when ice was added.
He was one of 20 young participants who took part in the Sunday afternoon, Aug. 27, lemonade stand contest organized by the Aldergrove Business Association (ABA).
Young lemon-aid makers are competing at Aldergrove Plaza on the corner of 272 St. and Fraser Hwy. pic.twitter.com/W9QpVAdhEx
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 27, 2023
Kids whipped up original recipes, competing for votes from tasters who would decide who won for best lemonade, best stand, and most creative marketing, each with a prize of $250. Each competitor was partnered with a local business.
“I thought we would have 20 people come out and vote. We had 130,” said ABA president Jodi Steeves
She was impressed by the young entrepreneurs.
“The kids were just crushing it,” Steeves commented.
Tastings were free, but donations to the Aldergrove Food Bank were being collected.
Kids were encouraged to donate 10 per cent of their tips, but they all contributed more, Steeves reported.
Young lemon-aid makers are competing at Aldergrove Plaza on the corner of 272 St. and Fraser Hwy. pic.twitter.com/oIVjXzvCsz
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) August 27, 2023
Tatiana, who shared the award for best marketer with younger brothers, Alexander and Malachi, was politely approaching visitors to the plaza site with a sign directing them to the stand that her siblings were running. Their stand was partnered with GLOW GIRL.
”And we also have a business card with a recipe on it,” Tatiana smiled.
Best stand was a tropic-themed design created by Ainsleigh, partnered with HIVE donuts.
And for the best lemonade, voters selected the drinks created by Adriana, who was partnered with Otter Co-op.
Steeves is already thinking about next year’s event, when she thinks they will add a people’s choice category, and a pizza party.
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