Ford provided the vehicle for this trip to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m lucky enough to live in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, a little over an hour away from Canton, home of First Monday Trade Days, the world’s largest flea market. Next to Round Top, it’s one of my favorite junking experiences … although I will say, I’m pretty sure junking along one of those huge miles-long garage sales would be my dream vacation. I recently spent a day in Canton with a couple of friends and, if you’re planning a trip, I thought it might be helpful to give a few tips and tricks for making the most of First Monday Trade Days. {If you love junking as much as I do, be sure to check out my general tips for junking.}
First Monday Trade Days Location
This awesome market is located in Canton, Texas, about sixty miles southeast of Dallas.
Because we live so close, we almost always do a day trip but if you’re looking for overnight accommodations, you can find a number of chain hotels within a small radius around Canton.
What is First Monday Trade Days?
First Monday Trade Days is apparently the largest flea market in the United States. Because, everything’s bigger in Texas {wink}. The market is spread out over a large area with multiple venues but much of the market is located in one central spot with outdoor tables, covered pavilions, and small shops.
It’s held the weekend preceding the first Monday of the month, beginning on Thursday.
The Best Times to Visit Canton
Finding the best time depends on whether you’re trying to avoid crowds or get the best stuff. Thursdays are typically quieter, in terms of the number of people in attendance, but if you want the full experience with the most shops and booths open and running, Friday or Saturday is best.
If you’re wondering about the time of year, be sure to consider the weather {Texas is really hot in the summer!} as well as the seasonal element. The market tends to be pretty great in November and full of fun holiday items.
Parking at First Monday Trade Days
You’ll see lots of parking near the market and you’ll pay $5 to park.
Tips and Tricks for First Monday Trade Days
There are a number of things that I recommend taking with you to make the trip more enjoyable and more practical.
Take a large vehicle.
You may not expect to buy anything big while at Canton but once there, those deals just get you. On our most recent trip to Canton, we were lucky to be able to drive a 2020 Ford Expedition Max with piles of room for both passengers and treasures.
Not only did this vehicle look amazing with its burgundy exterior and ceramic leather interior, but it’s the little things that make driving a Ford so great. With heated and ventilated multi-contoured seats in the front {that included massage seats in this amazing model} …
… and heated seats in the middle row, we all rode in complete comfort.
As the driver, safety features like voice-activated navigation, airbags, and a crash alert system make the highway travel so easy and really take the stress out of a road trip. The cruise control and auto features {like automatic braking when coming up behind a slower-moving vehicle} are my absolute favorites on the open highways.
And with lots of room in the back {opened with a hands-free liftgate}, plus a power-fold third row seat, we were able to bring home all kinds of fun stuff, from large wooden stools that will be getting a new macrame top to small hand mirrors and embroidered samplers.
Bring a rolling cart.
Having a rolling cart, with or without a liner, will make your entire day a hundred times easier. You can stash big and small items in the cart, pull rather than carry, and keep things like wipes and water close at hand.
Have a discerning eye.
These days there are all kinds of amazing knock-offs of vintage items but if you prefer true vintage over new, you’ll need to develop a discerning eye. If there are pieces you love, learn what markers differentiate between the real deal and a newer version.
Have a baseline idea for fair prices.
You’ll have more luck bartering outside at the open tables or in the pavilions that have more of a garage sale style than you will in any of the higher end shops or booths. Many booths sell similar items so you may want to look around a bit before you lay down large sums of money for something.
Get ideas in the pavilions.
The pavilions typically feature finished products like painted furniture and neat crafts … and obviously those items come with a higher price tag. I always say, “the nicer the booth, the higher the price”. If you’re a diehard DIYer, it’s fun to wander through the pavilions to get ideas and inspiration and then head outside to the tables and find what you need to create your own treasures.
Dress in layers.
And wear comfortable shoes!
Be prepared for any kind of weather. It can rain, it can be scorching hot, it can be bone chilling cold, and, if you’re really lucky, it can be moderate and amazing.
Bring lots of bottled water {another reason why the rolling cart is a great idea}, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Take friends.
While I would consider going to Canton alone, it just wouldn’t be nearly as fun. Getting opinions and ideas from friends, having company during all the walking, taking turns pulling the cart {wink}, and just sharing the fun of junking makes the whole experience so much better.
We’ve even gone all in and worn matching shirts before {smile}.
I’d love to hear whether you’ve been to Canton and whether you have additional tips and tricks to share. Leave them in the comments … and tell us the best treasure you’ve found at First Monday Trade Days.
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