First Monday Trade Days, Canton, TX
Written: Jul 07 '00 (Updated Sep 04 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Deals
Cons: The Walking
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| slick4591's Full Review: Texas |
Do you like bargain hunting? Do you like to eat? Then consider the Worlds largest open air flea market just 60 miles east of Dallas off of IH20. Located in the small town of Canton, Texas you will find acres and acres of new, used and some plain junk sprawled through out the miles of paved paths simply named First Monday Trade Days.
History
Back in the 1850’s Canton had a State Circuit Judge whom made his appearance on the first Monday of each month. He would take care of the legal business that was pending and move on. People would take the trip to Canton the weekend before that Monday and congregate around the Town Square. While there, they would buy provisions, take care of personal business and they might even get to see a public hanging. The festival atmosphere soon became a public trading place where one could make their best deals on livestock, vegetables or just about anything.
The amount of people grew to large for the area, so in 1965 the City of Canton purchased 6 acres just a few blocks north of the Town Square and opened what is now known as First Monday Trade Days. There, people could rent a space to display and peddle their wares for the buyers. First Monday has since grown to be the Worlds largest “open air” flea market.
Navigation
From Dallas, take IH20 east approximately 60 miles and turn right on Highway 19. From Texarkana you will take IH30 west for approximately 171 miles and left on Highway 19.
Either way you can’t miss the Original Grounds on your right. Oh yeah, get your three bucks out for parking, but admission to the grounds is free. Be sure to grab a free directory with map of the grounds as soon as you see one.
Preparation
Should you venture to this beautiful region, known as East Texas, there are a few very important things you need to bring along. The first would be walking shoes. Well, not just walking shoes, your best walking shoes because in order to see most of the grounds you will do a lot of it. (My last trip we spent 6 hours and did not see it all.) The second necessary item would be some sort of hauling apparatus to tote all the treasures you will surely purchase. Most people take a pull behind wagon or a two wheeled shopping cart and don’t make many trips the car to unload. If you are in a pinch these items can be rented or purchased.
Take heed and get something to haul with because slicksbabe purchased some heavy items and I attempted to carry them for a while. It finally reached the point that it was either get a cart or I was leaving the items behind (I was just a bit ticked). So, her search began…The first person she encountered with a cart she asked where it was acquired and the answer was “Illinois”. Well, we both looked at each other and I said, “that does us a hell of a lot of good” and started laughing. I believe the couple thought we both were un-medicated or something. Slicksbabe was glad to pay the $25.00 for a cart to save her treasures.
Other necessary items includes the color green and plenty of it. To make your best deals simply see the marked price, ask if that is their best price and then offer your price. With a little flash of the cash you are likely to walk away a happy purchaser, but be prepared to walk away without the item, if necessary. I found few vendors that were not familiar with the actual value of their wares. Some will also take checks and credit cards (I learned this the hard way. Yes Visa, I knew what my credit limit was).
The Grounds
First Monday is divided into two distinct sections, The Original Grounds and the Old Mill Market Place. The Original section is located on Highway 19 and the Old Mill section about one half mile to the east on Highway 64 (the Tyler Highway). On the Original Grounds you will find no less than eight pavilions which contain four long rows of vendors in each (there were a couple of pavilions under construction on my visit). The Civic Center is the one of the few air-conditioned buildings we found. This building contains vendors that specialize in antiques and collectibles. Here you will find prices equal to eBay only without the shipping charges. This is without mentioning the hundreds of “open air” vendors.
The Market Place has eight pavilions and four buildings with several shops and each are air- conditioned being mostly craft oriented. You will also find more “open air” vendor areas where you may wheel and deal a little more. This area is primarily craft and collectibles.
Now, take a tour of the area commonly referred to as Dog Patch, which is the animal section. You will find many (advertised) pure breeds of animals from dogs and cats to exotic species of fowl. We saw miniature horses and many barnyard animals. If you have no need for these it’s at least worth the time to see the cute little creatures. (However, I would never vouch for the bloodlines or quality of these animals.) You will also find an abundance of quality pet supplies at very good prices.
Food
In both sections you will find an abundance of great food. What event such as this would be without Funnelcakes (a grease laden, artistically patterned, white sugared piece of deep fried dough), corn dogs (which are heart stoppers themselves) and smoked turkey legs? You will also find the common hamburger, chicken sandwich and even authentic Cajun style cooking. My favorite is the roasted ears of sweet corn. Dip them sweet tender ears in a bucket of melted butter and coat them with salt and ummm…Well, lets just say I’m not going to be the poster child for the American Heart Association in the near future.
Conclusion
Canton has few motels and many Bed and Breakfast lodgings to accommodate the visitors for a great shopping weekend. Please make your reservation well in advance.
First Monday is not exactly as it's name appears. It is open year around, rain or shine on the Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month. I believe the only exception would be during a holiday in which many of the vendors would hang around an extra day or leave if the holiday is on the weekend. But, whatever the time of year, you are sure to enjoy your day shopping.
There are also motorized vehicles for the walking challenged for rent and I even saw a few with a one seated trailer for a tow along passenger. (Looked pretty good to me after the second hour of walking.)
Hope you plan to visit because it’s an experience you will never quit talking about and want to pass on to your friends.
I will also offer you the City of Canton’s web Site for further reference.
http://www.firstmondaycanton.com/
Recommended:
Yes
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slick4591
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Member: Dennis Hughes
Location: Farmersville,Texas
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BBQ and fine dining caterer.
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