First Monday Trade Days Canton Texas
Headed to First Monday Trade Days in Canton Texas, and would like to know exactly what to expect? Hello adventure! We are here to enlighten you from our perspective, as ordinary shoppers, who have enjoyed First Monday Canton for over several decades. Come along, we think you are going to love it!
Canton is a small town in East Texas, but has a huge flea market/trade days event every month. It is called First Monday Trade Days because it is held the first Monday of every month, actually the whole weekend before the first Monday of every month-Thursday through Sunday. It has expanded to 100+ acres and you can get miles and miles of walking exercise in while spending a day there!
As you drive into Canton from the East on Hwy 64, you will start seeing The Old Mill Marketplace with The Village Shops, The Mountain, etc. on your right. The pet area will be on your left, across from The Old Mill Marketplace, coming up to the intersection of Hwy 64 and Hwy 19. To shop the main park, turn right on Highway 19 and you will start seeing businesses and vendors set up on the right-including scooter and cart rentals. Past the cemetery and more vendors on the left, you will also see the main entrance to The Original First Monday Park. This is the area we are concentrating on today. Back on the right, you will start seeing parking lots here, across from the entrances, where you can park for five dollars all day.
Even though it’s a main highway, the traffic on Highway 19 is great about stopping for pedestrians to run across continuously. After you park and “run across” Hwy 19 to enter the grounds, you will be overwhelmed! There are thousands of vendors, many keeping their same spot month after month. These vendors are in small buildings large buildings, arbors/pavilions, under tents and in open spaces, or in their own kiosk/stand. Whether you are hunting for antiques and love to dig, or you like to hit the pavilions and shops to scope out all of the new clothing and decor trends, or on a seasonal decorating mission, or maybe a mixture of all of it…you will not be disappointed!
You can find maps for plotting your route or just saunter around enjoying section after section. Wander in and out of the huge covered arbors and pavilions that are packed with a variety of vendors offering furniture, clothing, seasonal, antiques, handcrafted wares, art, home decor, accessories, food/drinks, and just about anything else you can imagine. As you go outside, you will encounter strips of shops, freestanding shops, places to eat, and acres of vendors set up in their allotted spaces. A large portion of these spaces are tent covered for shade and protection from elements. You’ll find it’s a continuation of vendors with their treasures almost running together. Great for digging!
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At the back, is the large civic center that is basically an indoor flea market with many vendors set up in their normal spots every month. You will find lots of glass, guns, knives, coins, jewelry and so many other antiques and nice collectibles. This is a great place for getting out of the heat, cold, or rain to shop too.
Other things of interest to note: There are also several buildings of public restrooms scattered all over the grounds for your convenience. You can find ATM machines if you are running low on cash too! First Monday is dog friendly, so you will see a great deal of dogs on leashes-getting exercise along with their owners. With miles and miles of treasure hunting, you’re going to see a good number of shoppers on motorized scooters. Be careful to not get run over! You will see those frequent shoppers pushing their loaded (possibly overloaded) carts all around. You can actually purchase your own cart at First Monday or bring your own with you.
All of that shopping is going to make you hungry, right? No problem. There are lots of choices while you are here. When you’re ready for lunch, stop at one of the many food locations for sandwiches, hamburgers, corny dogs, loaded baked potatoes, etc. Anytime you’re ready for a snack or drink you’ve got plenty of options there also… funnel cake, caramel corn, lemonade, etc.
Are you getting an idea of how expansive the grounds are and the selection? You can find all of your favorite things here and so many surprises. It’s always changing with new items and new vendors. You’ll want to come as often as you can.
We hope you have enjoyed seeing First Monday Trade Days Canton Texas with us today! Now you are prepared to experience it for yourself soon. Please leave us a comment to let us know what you enjoyed most.
Do you happen to know which vendor does the galvanized metal letters- the huge ones you have pictured? I was there this past weekend and could not find them.
When I saw them, they were close to the bridge that goes to Row 46. I’m not sure of the vendor or if they are still there tho. I hope you find them!
I love visiting flea markets and this place looks like it caters to everyone’s needs.
Yes! Can’t wait to go back! The things we took for granted before everything started closing. Sigh.
These events are so fun! This looks like an exceptional flea market.
It really is! A great experience every time.
We love going to places like this it’s neat to see all the different kinds of things people have in their booths.
I agree!!
I have an aunt who would absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to visit something like this.
Awe maybe she will get to go one day!
This looks like such a great adventure and the food looks so yummy!
Shopping and eating…can’t go wrong! Lol
Wow this looks like fun. I have always wanted to go to this function. The food alone would be amazing and I could already smell the kettle corn. But hunting through everything would be a deligth!
Oh yes! The carmel corn is my fav!
This looks like so much fun! And totally up my alley, too bad I can’t make a day trip of it. Since Texas is on my list, maybe one day. Oh and now I need some of those corbels!
Yes one day! 😁
Oh! That looks so very cool! I wish I lived close enough to go!
Well bummer!
I’m salivating just looking at the pictures and thinking “I could do this with that!”, LOL My kind of fun time for sure!
Haha I get it!
wow, looks like I could find some really cool things there!
Oh yes! Always!
I would love to visit this place with a pocket full of money and a big truck!
Haha you are a pro shopper! 😉
I love when a post has a lot of pictures. At first, I was thinking American Pickers and then Antique Roadshow – this is a great place to find lots of things…and eat like you are at the state fair!
Thank you! I take lots of pics and video. Lol
It’s a fun experience for sure!
Have loved 1st Monday Trade Day since there was only one building! I do kind of miss more of the vintage stuff and I shop less of the new – but still fun! Thanks for the post1
That’s so interesting D’Ann! I don’t really remember just one building. The Civic Center? I hardly remember it without Arbors now. 😁
Oh my gosh my sister-in-law would be in heaven here. Going to yo tell her we need a girls trip
Sounds like an excellent plan! I’ve been with my sister in law too!
This would be a dream to walk through! I am definitely putting it on my list!! I see that it’s not too far from Gun Barrel City, which I’ve been to before!
True Lee Anne, it’s easy to get to also. Have fun!
Thanks for sharing. it’s interesting to see what the trade day looks like
Glad you enjoyed it!
We’ve been to a couple of trade days, but nothing beats Texas! So many cool looking venders and the food makes me want to head that way for the next First Monday!
It’s coming up this weekend!
I LOVE flea markets and so glad to have read this!! So insightful and so much to see. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure!
What a fun outing! Good food and fun!
And shopping! Lol
Wow, this sounds fun. I love how it is free admission too.
Yes!! 😁
We have something similar here in Houston called Trader’s Village. It’s amazing how much they sell at these places!
I may have to check out Trader’s Village next time I’m in Houston. I’m not sure that I’ve been there.
This is right up my alley! I would love to go to this!
Hope you get to check it out soon!
Shopping and fair food? Count me in! Looks like a great place to find some great stuff.
Haha It’s a good combo!
I love markets like this. Food, fun, and shopping! Yay!
Me too, Kendra!
Looks like a lot of fun! I’d love to walk through and take a look at everything.
You would love it!
what an interesting place. i’ll bet there are some really fun treasures to be had there!
Yes, and it changes constantly!
This looks amazing! You could probably spend all weekend there!
For sure, Sydney!
Wow. I have never seen anything like this in my life. We had a small local flea market growing up, but nothing like this. How fun and entertaining.
Jenny it really is incredible. It’s free admission too! I hope you get to check it out one of these months!