Recession? What recession? At the First Monday Trade Days flea market and swap meet in Canton, Texas, the crowds are bigger than ever. Shoppers are coming to the town of 5,142 people for the Christmas shopping, likely half a million of them, says Linda Hatfield, operations supervisor for the huge monthly market.
“This is our busiest season,” she says. “Probably there’s not an empty motel room in a 20 or 30 mile radius for the next two months. Bed and breakfasts have been rented out for a year in advance. This is the shopping time of the year.”
The historic flea market is expecting up to 7,000 vendors on 300 acres. It is so big and crowded that the market management suggests shoppers pick out landmarks so that they won’t get lost. The market is organized and run by the City of Canton, and it is held Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of every month. It used to be on Monday, but in the ’60s they moved it to the weekend before the first Monday of every month. For more information, check out the market Web site at FirstMondayCanton.com or call (903) 567-6556.
Photo credits, with thanks: Deb at Howdy From Cowtown and Stephanie at Life As Supermom.
