First Monday Trade Days started as a local horse and make commerce event more than 150 years back, but has been developed into a shopper’s paradise spanning 100 acres. Over 6,000 vendors offer everything from home furnishings and classic collectibles to jewelry and crafts. The flea market takes place the Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of each month in Canton, Texas, 60 miles east of Dallas off Interstate 20. It is among the largest flea markets in the United States, and it is impossible to see it all in a day. Book lodging early at one of the regional bed-and-breakfasts to pay the 28 miles above a couple of days.
On account of the hot Texas summers, the busiest times are the spring and fall. The first weekend of October this year proved to be ideal, with ideal weather. Take a look at some highlights from my trip then and think about making a trip to Canton to perform your treasure hunting. The upcoming dates will be October 31 to November 3, 2013.
First Monday Trade Days
Where: 800 Flea Market Rd., Canton, Texas
When: Thursday through Sunday preceding the first Monday of each month, sunup to sundown, rain or shine.
More information
Angela Flournoy
Vendors come from across the nation to market their goods to more than 100,000 attendees yearly. Items vary from classic paintings such as industrial signage to custom furniture.
You’ll be able to find reclaimed signs and metal letters in all shapes and sizes to spell a favorite word, or simply use you to represent the first initial of a family name.
Tip: Bring cash. Indoor vendors may take checks or credit cards, but many of the outdoor and smaller vendors accept only cash. ATMs can be found throughout the grounds.
Angela Flournoy
The Girls Gone Junkin’ booth offers a mix of distressed decor and furniture, rusty metal items, classic lace and apparel forms.
Angela Flournoy
The women of Women Gone Junkin’, shown here, see repeat Trade Days customers each month. “My aim is that everybody who walks in our booth discovers something affordable for many pocketbooks,” says owner Cathy Guess (center).
The creative team comes together at the booth from various regions of Texas to market their products. Silver plates, older windows and classic flatware transformed into jewellery were popular things when I had been there.
Angela Flournoy
This secondhand market is right for the shopper who appreciates the browsing experience and taking in all the choices while looking for that special conversation piece, such as an old road sign.
Many marketplace attendees are bargain hunting for household products, but there is also livestock, create and restaurants serving local dishes.
Angela Flournoy
Row 46 (Paul Michael Building) has some of the most popular indoor shops at the marketplace. These reserved areas behave as storefronts and even permanent residences for many vendors.
Tip: Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Rental scooters and shopping carts can be found on site. Peak attendance is on the weekends, so attend on Thursday if you want to prevent the crowds.
Angela Flournoy
You will discover plenty of options for refinished furniture. The toughest decision will be which pieces to select. Birdies Antiques provides painted French provincial furniture that is ideal for fans of Shabby Chic style.
Tip: Vendors problem gate moves to allow customers to push a vehicle into the park to load furniture or other heavy things.
Angela Flournoy
Rows of salvaged doors and windows line the outdoor areas.
Angela Flournoy
Photographers Casey Kazmann (left) and Ashley Lansford (right) bought these window frames for $10 each.
“I arrived to discover new props for my portrait sessions that could also double as decoration in my home,” states Kazmann. “This window framework was on top of my listing. I can tie initials and numbers on for photo shoots, or join a few pictures with clothespins for wall art.”
Angela Flournoy
Metal knickknacks and wrought iron hardware fill rows of metal tins at seller Don Jones, Row 23, Lot 1441.
Angela Flournoy
These painted ceiling medallions were priced at $20.
Angela Flournoy
Indoor pavilions showcase furnishings from local dealers, such as Sanvig Sawmill. Owners Gary and Sally Sanvig create unique furnishings like hanging benches, fireplace mantels and this floating duplex. The custom bed is hand crafted from cypress timber and supported by climbing rope.
Angela Flournoy
A coffee table fabricated from one slab of cypress wood is sealed with a shiny finish and stainless steel legs. This showstopper was at the entry of the Sanvig Sawmill shop in the Boardwalk II Building.
Angela Flournoy
If you find a product you love, buy it. You might not be able to find the item after. And make sure you collect business cards from your favorite vendors, since most of them market online between Trade Days markets.
Angela Flournoy
The unreserved areas on the outskirts of the marketplace are sometimes the very interesting. In such garage-sale-style locations, you can find vendors with virtually anything. My favorite find of the day was this set of unique exterior seats painted turquoise. They wouldn’t fit in my automobile, however, and I needed to leave empty-handed. Next time I’ll come ready with a larger car.
Your turn: Have you been to First Monday Trade Days? Share some of the own finds and purchasing tips below.
More:
Treaure Searching at the Brimfield Antiques Fair
A Beginner’s Mini Guide to Purchasing Antiques
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