Travel has always been a passion of mine. I wanted to start combining my hunger for travel with my lust for rusty antiques. What better way to start combining my love for these two hobbies than going the world’s largest flea market?!
Traveling down to Canton’s First Monday Trade Days had always been a dream of mine. What is First Monday Trade Days you ask? It’s an awesome flea market located in Canton, Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas and Canton’s Monday Trade Days is no exception. This market is over 450 acres with more than 6,000 vendors. Rumors of acres of architectural salvage, vintage signage, and more sounded like a picker’s paradise. Rain or shine, the flea market is held the weekend preceding the first Monday of every month, starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday.
Here are my tips for Pickin’ Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas.
1. Arrive bright and early.
As everyone knows, the early bird gets the worm. This is no different when it comes to flea markets, yard sales, or auctions. I recommended getting to Canton’s Monday Trade Days at opening for the best selection of one-of-a-kind items. Getting to the market early will also give you the opportunity to get a good parking spot. A good parking spot is essential for loading up vintage treasures easily. I made multiple trips to the car to unload my wagon and I was glad I was close to do so.
2. Prepare to Park.
I recommended parking at the Pecan Tree Parking Lot across from the East Gate. This is a convenient location for unloading treasures. It’s also a close location to ABC Scooter for wagon rentals. This parking lot is just across from the market and is easy to access.
3. Rent a Wagon.
I couldn’t bring my pickin’ wagon since I was flying from Idaho. I recommend renting a wagon if you can’t bring your own. This is a convenient way to haul all your vintage treasures over acres and acres. I recommended reserving a wagon rental in advance with ABC Scooter. Reserving a wagon in advance guarantees you one since they can sell out. ABC Scooter is a reputable company right inside the East Gate at Canton’s Monday Trade Days. It’s in a convenient location across from my recommended parking lot as well.
4. Bring lots of cash.
I recommend bringing lots of cash to this flea market. There are lots of vendors that accept electronic payments. However, some vendors only except cash. In my experience, these were primarily the vendors out in the “vendor fields” who had true vintage. There are ATMs throughout the complex but these machines can run out of cash due to crowds.
5. Business in the Front, Vintage Party in the Back.
I recommend starting in the back area called the “Vendor Fields” and to work your way forward to the front “Trade Center” buildings and “The Arbors”. I recommend the vendor fields for the best deals and for bargaining. I also recommend this area for finding true vintage. Most of the amazing vintage finds I brought back to Idaho were from this “vendor field” area. I found antique items like a vintage typewriter, old sewing spools, and multiple antique pop crates. The front of the complex is mainly mass-produced items like home decor, clothing, and jewelry. The front complex is a great area to take inspiration from for your own shop. Most of these vendors had amazing displays and staging ideas.
6. Network with Vendors.
Vendors come from all over the country to sell their goods at Canton’s First Monday Trade Days. Don’t be afraid to network and introduce yourself to other vendors. I was able to meet and create connections with other vendors during the market. I was able to meet vendors from Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma just to name a few. I wore my favorite business shirt as a conversation starter to market my business. My favorite vendor I met during the show was the “Tin Man” from Tulsa, OK. He specialized in architectural salvage such as tin ceiling tiles, old shutter pieces, and vintage gas & oil signage. Every piece has a story and I fell in love with these salvage shutter signs after learning their unique history from him. They were repurposed from architectural salvage shutters from an old general store in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was glad I introduced myself or I may have not heard the cool history behind these chippy beauties.
7. More time and more days.
I recommend at least two days of pickin’ at Canton’s Monday Trade Days. This place is huge! You will want to give yourself time to see it all. With acres and acres, you won’t run out vintage shopping or inspiration.
8. Eat a giant corn dog.
I recommend stopping for one of Canton’s giant corn dogs. It was one of the best I’ve ever had. I even went back on day 2 for a second one. Also don’t forget to stop and drink the freshly squeezed lemonade.
Canton’s Monday Trade Days was truly antique heaven and did not disappoint. This is a one-of-a-kind flea market with unique antique finds and loads of inspiration. I highly recommend every picker check out the world’s largest flea market for their next Pickin’ trip.