Exploring the ultimate flea market: Nancy Burns, Susan Hebert, Lois Reinhardt and Vicki
Vicki Baker
First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas is the oldest, largest, continually operating outdoor flea market in the U.S., and Girls on Wheels traveled two and a half hours to this east Texas town for our November outing. But to call Trade Days a flea market is like calling Texas a ranch. There’s so much more! With up to 7,500 vendors gathered to display their wares, it was a treasure hunt limited only by our willingness to dig for great stuff at great prices.
It all began in the 1850s when the circuit judge stopped in Canton on the first Monday of each month, the day the judge held court. People from the area came to town on that day to conduct their business, stock their pantries and sit in on court proceedings. Many of these people brought their own goods, produce and livestock with them to sell or trade.
Today, First Trade Days has a carnival like atmosphere. We spent the day strolling the “avenues,” people watching, shopping and eating! If you want it, you can find it. With acres and acres of opportunities to shop among covered pavilions, tents, pop-up buildings, trailers and other setups, we found everything from brand new to homemade, from antique to re-purposed, and even one-of-a-kind items. Some vendors are high priced, some cheap and a whole lot in between. Our found treasures: outdoor metal art, holiday decorations, tabletop decor, fresh shelled nuts, wine mixers and a teapot!
There was plenty to eat and drink scattered throughout the grounds. Unable to resist the aroma wafting from the open grill, we lunched on hand-pressed Angus burgers topped with grilled onions and a side of Texas Twister fried potatoes. Not much chance to watch our diets here. We enjoyed our meal on the covered patio giving us the added benefit of watching the other shoppers bustling about.
With thousands of booths over hundreds of acres to cover, we discovered at the end of the day that we had barely scratched the surface. As our day came to an end, we indulged on the Turner family’s homemade ice cream while relaxing in hand-built rocking chairs. Girls on Wheels definitely got some exercise, ate some good food and stumbled across some magnificent bargains. Ahhhh, what a day!