80 young entrepreneurs stir it up at Mizuktata

By Sarah Manriquez

Under overcast skies and a cool coastal breeze, music, sweet smells and small-business ambition filled Nome’s neighborhoods as 80 young entrepreneurs took to the streets on Saturday, June 14, 2025, for Mizuktata—a grassroots revival of what was once known as Lemonade Day.
From tropical shaved ice in Hawaiian party cups to homemade pies, chili and even unicorn-themed lemonade with color-changing ice cubes, more than 40 stands dotted neighborhoods across town. Kids ages 1 to 17 showcased not only their creativity but also their financial savvy, citing savings goals that ranged from new bikes to future trips—and even donations to the local animal shelter.
Mizuktata—“Let’s drink juice” in Iñupiaq—was born from necessity in 2022 after the Alaska Small Business Development Center let go of its statewide license for the national Lemonade Day program. Rather than let the event fade, Nome moms Krystal Hensley and Renee Joyce stepped up to rebuild it from the ground up.
“It’s such a joyful day, not just for the kids, but for the whole community,” Hensley said. “It’s become a tradition.”
The first Mizuktata featured just 12 stands. This year marked the largest showing yet. Many participants are now second or third-generation stand owners, with stories of older siblings passing down recipes, signage and advice.
Delaney Johnson, who first participated in the event as a child, returned this year in a new role—helping her stepdaughter Ava Bahnke and family friend Mabel Steed run Stand No. 9, Ava and Mabel’s Shave Ice & Tropical Lemonade, outside of Dredge No. 7 Inn. Now, as a mom, she’s continuing a legacy of involvement that’s deeply rooted in Nome’s community spirit.
“Kids really want to learn about making money,” Johnson said. “A lot of people here are business owners—parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles—and we get to see our families run their own businesses and operations.”
Seeing that kind of entrepreneurship sparks curiosity in kids—and Mizuktata gives them a chance to try it out for themselves.
Even though it was their first year participating, Ava, 13, and Mabel, 10, went all out—Hawaiian style. Inspired by a recent family trip to the islands, the pair transformed their stand into a tropical escape. They served shave ice in traditional Hawaiian cups, poured buckets of freshly squeezed lemonade in fruity island flavors, and welcomed customers with flower leis and a soundtrack from Disney’s Moana playing in the background.
“It feels like making potions,” Ava said, swirling her custom lemonade concoction by hand in its plastic drinking container. With bright smiles and sticky hands, the pair agreed: Running a stand might be hard work, but it’s the kind they can’t wait to do again next year.
While some kids are just starting their journeys others were marking their final chapters. One of the busiest stops on the map was stand No. 16, “Section Ate,” where 15-year-old Carter Angusuc and his mother Eva Dixon are local legends for their pulled pork and homemade chili that has sold out in under 90 minutes in past years. As Carter prepares to move on to high school commitments and other pursuits, the family is retiring their stand, closing out a beloved legacy.
MacKenzie Goodwin, a self-proclaimed Mizuktata regular, attests to the quality of all the homemade items served each year. Though she’s never run her own stand, she makes the rounds and grabs her favorite treats—Section Ate at the top of the list. This year, she ordered four cups of chili and four pulled pork sandwiches.
“I can’t even describe what it tastes like,” Goodwin said. “I just know I dream about it every year.”
Though the national program is gone, many of its core principles remain. Kids track expenses, learn to price their products, and, in Nome, can attend a budgeting workshop led by Andrew McCann, vice president and branch lending manager of Northrim Bank.
“We talk about the costs of doing business,” McCann said. “What it costs to make their product, how much they think they should sell it for, what their profits might be.”
McCann also prompts kids to think beyond profits, encouraging them to reflect on their financial choices—whether they want to spend their earnings, save for something meaningful, or give a portion back to the community in a way that matters to them.
That spirit of generosity was on full display at stand No. 8, Q-tie Pies Q Trucking, where 12-year-olds Presley Reader and Ella Hickeoson donated their earnings to the Nome Animal House. Their homemade treats were offered on a pay-what-you-can model.
“We usually sell out in about three hours,” Presley said. “We start baking two days ahead of time.”
That prep work is more than just a necessity; it’s the duo’s favorite part. Presley said she loves baking with family and friends in the days leading up to the big event.
McCann also emphasizes the importance of marketing and standing out. “We talk a little bit about advertising,” he said. “How do you let people know that you’re selling something?” From catchy stand names and colorful signage to strategic locations and social media buzz, kids are encouraged to think creatively about how to grab attention—and keep it. 
One stand with a particularly high-energy advertising strategy was Stand No. 1, Unicorn Lemonade. Though their setup was tucked out of sight in a garage behind the house, Elizabeth Phan, 9, and Dani Luce, 9, along with siblings RJ, 7, and Bristol, 5, staged an exuberant performance on Front Street to catch the attention of passing cars. Dressed in unicorn onesies, the kids cheered, danced, shouted and jumped in front of a hand-drawn sign—doing everything short of cartwheels to guide customers around the corner. They channeled the chaotic charm of inflatable arm-flailing tube men—but with glitter and horns.
Community sponsors have stepped in to fill funding gaps and support Mizuktata’s growth.
This year, the Bering Sea Lions Club provided a $100 scholarship to every participating stand, helping kids cover supply costs. Jennifer Reader, newly elected president of the club, said the idea came out of a conversation with event organizer Krystal Hensley, who had been running the event independently since the national Lemonade Day program ended.
“Our particular club’s goal has always been to make Nome a better place,” Reader said. “We’re always looking for ways to positively impact the community—especially for kids.”
Reader said the goal for next year is to offer the startup funds earlier, in hopes of making it easier for new families to participate. “Groceries in Nome aren’t cheap,” she said. “Our club wants everyone to be able to participate. That’s really important to us.”
With this year’s event behind them, the club is preparing to take on a larger role as Hensley passes the torch. After four years of leading Mizuktata, this was her final year at the helm. While she’ll remain involved as a member of the Bering Sea Lions Club, the organization will formally take over coordination of the event going forward.
“It’s bittersweet,” Hensley said. “But this is a growing opportunity for our community. It belongs to them now.”
The day wrapped with a celebratory Splash It Up party at Old St. Joe’s, where participants swapped stories, shared cake and basked in the glow of their success. The lemonhead mascot made the rounds, striking poses and handing out prizes—a joyful finale to a day powered by small hands, big dreams and a whole lot of juice.

Lemonade Day Expands Beyond Nome
Several surrounding villages joined in the Lemonade Day spirit, hosting their own youth-run events across the region. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Teller saw seven stands open over the course of two days, with kids selling from their homes due to rain and high winds.
In Shishmaref, 10 to 15 stands were set up near the community hall, drawing families together for a day of local treats and entrepreneurship.
This coming weekend, Elim and Golovin are set to hold their own Lemonade Day celebrations, while Shaktoolik and Wales are in the process of selecting dates for upcoming events.

Photo Courtesy of Annie Weyiouanna
SHISHMAREF LEMONADE DAY— Siblings Susie, 4,  and Dalton, 12, Edith Weyiouanna at Shishmaref Lemonade Day.