Backstage Alley will soon be buzzing with creativity and confidence as the second annual Kids Arts & Crafts Market returns this summer, offering youth entrepreneurs a chance to shine.

Hosted by the Polaris Theater team, the market will feature two summer events July 19 and Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., aligning with the downtown Port Orchard Farmers Market to help draw foot traffic and community support.

The market is the brainchild of Rebekah Johnson, a local mom and longtime PO resident who launched the initiative in 2024 with just 10 vendors.

“I just noticed there weren’t many opportunities for kids to sell the things they make without having to compete with adults,” Johnson said. “I wanted to create a space just for them.”

Last year’s one-day event was a hit among both kids and community members. This year, with even more interest, Johnson expanded the format to two separate markets, both of which quickly reached capacity, with a growing waitlist.

The events are open to youth ages 10 to 16 who make their own arts and crafts. This year’s lineup includes handmade soaps and bath bombs, screen-printed shirts, 3D-printed toys, wands and foam swords, jewelry, and crocheted items. All items are non-consumable, and each child is responsible for setting prices, handling their own money, and engaging with customers.

“We really encourage the kids to manage their own booths,” Johnson said. “It’s all about building their confidence and giving them real-world experience as entrepreneurs.”

The market will take place in the narrow but vibrant alley behind the Polaris Theater. Ten vendor tables will line both sides of the alley, backed up against building walls, while a small stage space will be used for seating or a popcorn machine. Because of the layout, space is tight, but the setup allows each vendor a fair chance to connect with visitors.

The Polaris Theater itself is still under renovation, but Backstage Alley, the first completed area, is being actively used to host local events. The kids market joins a lineup that has included concerts, art pop-ups, and community activities like the South Kitsap High School Grad Parade and Mosquito Fleet Festival.

“We don’t charge any fees for the kids to participate,” Johnson said. “That was really important. They keep 100 percent of what they make.”

Parents are required to supervise but are asked to let the young vendors take the lead. Some returning vendors from last year were given early sign-up access, but Johnson said future years may limit participation to one market per child to give more kids a chance.

For Johnson, who also works alongside her family in revitalizing the Polaris Theater, the market is deeply personal.

“I’m a mom, and I want my kids to feel confident in themselves and in what they create,” she said. “Seeing their faces light up when someone buys their work, it’s just priceless. That’s what I want to give more kids in our community.”

She hopes the event becomes an annual summer tradition.

“We need community members to show up and support these kids,” she added. “Not just to help them make money, but to show them that what they do matters.”

For more information, families can email Johnson at rebekj@gmail.com.