How many people remember operating a lemonade stand growing up? Over the years, it has become one of the most recognizable ways for young people to make money.

Now, youth in the Golden Triangle can have the opportunity to run their own stand on a grand scale, thanks to the Golden Triangle Lemonade Day, set for July 15.

“The purpose of Lemonade Day is to empower the youth to take ownership of a business,” said Barbara Bigelow, executive director for Main Street Columbus. “They learn how to operate a business, set up a business, own a business. They learn entrepreneurial skills. They learn to handle money and they are encouraged to spend some of the money that they profit, to save some of the profits and to share some of the profits, in other words donate it possibly to their favorite nonprofit in town.”

However, while the date may seem distant, it is only a few short weeks away. The time for preparation is now, Bigelow said.

“One of the things to learn is not to procrastinate,” Bigelow said. “Do it now and make your plans. They have to get their recipes together, determine how much they want to make, have little cups for people to drink from, have a trash can for people to get rid of their cups, all of those kinds of things. It’s never too early to start planning.”

Youth in Columbus, Starkville and West Point will be participating in Lemonade Day.

“Starkville’s Lemonade Day is always extremely popular and successful,” said Paige Watson, director for Starkville Main Street. “You’ll find different lemonade stands all throughout downtown and around town.”

Signup is going great so far, and many more are expected to join in before the big day.

Cadence Bank, one of the presenting sponsors of the event is also going to be attempting to drum up participation.

The business will be going around to the Boys and Girls Clubs in the three cities and offering workshops to help encourage participation among the youth.

“Basically we go to the young folks, right now we are scheduled to speak to the various Boys and Girls Clubs in the Golden Triangle, and encourage participation and hopefully build young entrepreneurs as a result,” said Doug Robertson, president for the Columbus Cadence Bank. “We’ll talk to them about what it’s like to manage and have their own small business.”

Robertson said he has been attending the event, as a customer, for years.

“I think it creates a sense of accomplishment,” Robertson said. “The most satisfying thing for me is to go around and see all of the young people that are doing their third or fourth Lemonade Day and them remembering me as a repeat client. (I enjoy) watching them grow and expand their little business each and every year and develop a sense of pride and ownership.”

Anyone interested in participating in a workshop is encouraged to reach out to their Boys and Girls Club location.

Local Main Street offices are also open to cooperation.

“If they want to set up their stand Downtown, we would love to work with them if they want to contact our office, we can work with them on a location,” Bigelow said. “What we would want to do is contact a business owner, and no business owner would say no. I think they would enjoy having a stand in front of their business.”

Ultimately, the event seeks to encourage the youth to take an interest in running their own business and establish a future plan for themselves.

“This really is the perfect way to show the younger generation and for them to get a small taste, if you will, of what it’s like to have a business and manage money and things like that,” Watson said. “It really is extremely beneficial to all of the children who participate. We are proud to have it and we love seeing how generous the community is.”

Bigelow added that these children are the future.

“One day, they will run this country,” Bigelow said.