First Monday Trade Days

Did you know Canton, Texas, supports a population boom of 250,000 to 400,000 visitors a month?

Well, it does. Once a month this peaceful town becomes the seventh largest city in Texas when 200,000 to 400,000 flood in for First Monday Trade Days, a “you want it! – we got it!” shopping adventure as big as Texas!

Although Canton is a quaint town that brings to mind shopping and dining experiences around a turn of the century old town square, this historic town offers many avenues for shopping, including elegant antiques and collectibles, antique malls, Victorian tea room, retail clothing, and more.

However, Canton is more than a mild-mannered slow-paced community. Every month from Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday, it turns into a monstrous marketplace when this town is flooded for First Monday Trade Days. Say Canton, Texas, and the miles and miles of “good stuff” at First Monday Trade Days in Canton is the first thing that comes to shoppers’ minds. People flock to Canton every month to literally “shop til they drop” at the shopping spectacle only 60 miles east of Dallas on I-20.

Despite its name, First Monday, as it is called, used to be held on the first Monday each month but no longer. It now encompasses four days, none of which are Monday, but Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday preceding the First Monday of every month, rain or shine, holiday or not.

Confusing? Well, it all began in 1850 when the circuit judge came to town to hold court on the first Monday of the month, people would gather to talk, spit and whittle, or wait for their time to appear before the judge. This became the day they came into town to stock up on staples and they would bring crops, livestock, farm animals and handcrafted items to trade during the day. Since then, First Monday Trade Days has grown to be ranked one of the top three markets in the United States and one of the Top 100 Events in the country by Events Media Network. First Monday Trade Days draws approximately three million visitors annually.

First Monday could also be one of the top five places in Texas to do your Christmas shopping. People say that if you can’t find it at First Monday it probably doesn’t exist. Shoppers browse over about 7000 vendors for both new and used items, antiques and collectibles, rustic furniture, contemporary furniture, iron works, jewelry, baby items, knick knacks, pet items, toys, electronics, sewing material, windmills, fountains, candles, and even hairpieces where you can get a free makeover to see how the hairpiece looks in place before making a purchase. Crafts of intricate design available include quilting, woodworking, and unique wall hanging.

An added bonus is that many Canton residents also set up their own personal fruit and vegetable stands or hold yard sales to coincide with First Monday. You never know what you might find and you’re sure to find something for everyone on your Christmas list.

The shopping area covers a large expanse of open-air vendors as well as indoor vendors with heating and air conditioning. The Civic Center houses only antiques and collectibles and is heated and air conditioned with dining area and clean rest rooms. A trolley service is available to transport shoppers from some parking areas, and mobility scooters can be rented by those who aren’t up to a lot of walking. Those who want to see everything will need several days and may take advantage of any of a number of nearby restaurants, motels, bed and breakfasts or campgrounds.

Canton is known for its First Monday Trade Days. It is so popular that Canton,  a small city grows to a town of 200,000 to 400,000 during the First Monday weekend, making it the largest flea market in the world. In the past, due to the success of First Monday, the city of Canton had no property tax, however, as of 2006 that is no longer the case.  For more information go to our Visitors Bureau website at www.visitcantontx.com