Kid Row returned as part of the Tupper Lake Holiday Stroll, after debuting at the OkTupperfest earlier this year. The event gives kids the chance to sell their crafts and other creations to the public, netting some profits and valuable life lessons along the way.

Held at the Spruce & Hemlock store on Park Street, shoppers perused the kids’ various tables, which offered holiday gifts such as handmade decorative snowmen, fishing lures, holiday simmer pots, nature photographs taken around Tupper Lake and much more.

Ian Taylor, 12, has been fishing ever since he was 18 months old — right around the time he first could hold a rod. His knowledge was on full display as he offered a rundown of the various local fish species and what lure each are attracted to. For example, he said it was important to have the proper consistency and color in the material to resemble certain bait fish.

“These (lures) are mainly targeting bass,” he said while pointing to some of the lures. “The tail and anything shiny. Bass are like the sunfish of big game, they eat literally anything because they have mouths that are 6 inches wide.”

Eve Taylor next to the giant snowman she made and was selling at the Kid Row held at the Spruce & Hemlock store in Tupper Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Taylor said the biggest Pike he’s reeled in so far measured in at 27.5 inches. He caught that on Cranberry Lake, which he added was his favorite lake to fish on.

Hayley LaLonde organized the event. She is a teaching assistant at the L. P. Quinn Elementary School in Tupper Lake. She said that through her job — which includes assisting music and art classes — she sees kids bringing their ideas to life on a daily basis. This inspired her to want to give entrepreneurial kids who were interested in the opportunity to bring their ideas to market.

“It really gives them a confidence booster,” she said. “They’re learning a lot while they’re here.”

LaLonde said Kid Row provides a space and experience for children to learn real-life skills that are not necessarily conveyed in the classroom.

“Dealing with money and learning how to work with people,” she said. “Sometimes people will walk past (the table without stopping), and it kind of stinks at first, but kids learn that it’s OK and we keep going.”

Quinn Whitman smiles at her table, “Quinn’s Pics,” which features various outdoor photos she captured around Tupper Lake at Kid Row held at the Spruce & Hemlock store in Tupper Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

LaLonde thought it was important for the kids to get a sense of these skills while still young to hopefully give them a head start when it is their turn to contribute to society in their full capacities as adults.

“Let’s be honest: we’re going to grow up,” she said. “They’re coming out of these classrooms at some point, so it’s great to see them out here learning ‘the big kid thing,’ what we (adults) all have to do every day.”

LaLonde thanked Spruce & Hemlock for reaching out to offer a portion of their store for the event. She said that while no future dates are on the calendar yet, she is looking to make the event a regular occurrence.

“I have been volunteering with the town recreation department a lot lately, so I’m hoping that I can work with them to get more future dates for Kid Row,” she said. “People seem to really enjoy these … I hope other towns catch on too and it becomes more of a widespread event because it really is such a great thing.”

LaLonde said she is interested in getting in touch with more local retailers who may be interested in volunteering a portion of their space for future Kid Row events. LaLonde said she tries to make it as seamless for the businesses as possible by handling all of the logistics herself.

Claire and Timothy Snye at their table selling potted plants, simmer pots and bracelets at Kid Row held at the Spruce & Hemlock store in Tupper Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“I always am happy to do all of the planning,” she said. “They just need to open their doors so we can all come in.”

LaLonde can be reached by email at hayleymccottery@icloud.com. People can also contact the town of Tupper Lake Recreation Department at 518-359-9261, ext. 103.

First grader Bradley and Fifth grader Abbie Geiger smile at their table at Kids Row held at the Spruce & Hemlock store in Tupper Lake on Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)