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In these times of shopping online and making purchases mindlessly with the click of a button, something is missing from the shopping experience.
Shopping no longer has the same person-to-person camaraderie it once had. Most shopping used to take place at markets and corner stores where the community came together.
Which is just one of the wonderful things you’ll experience at Canton’s First Monday Trade Days, located in beautiful East Texas.
Are you looking for something fun, free, and entertaining to do for the whole family? Are you visiting and looking for fun things to do in East Texas?
Look no further than the largest outdoor vendor and flea market in America.
This huge outdoor market isn’t just about shopping.
It’s about the experience.
The First Monday Trade Days market is so much more than a flea market. It’s a community shopping event that draws thousands of visitors every day and hosts over 5000 vendors.
The market has made shopping history for over a century and a half. First Monday has evolved from mainly selling farm-based items in its early days: tools, animals, farming equipment, and locally made and grown goods and food.
Today, you can buy that same farm equipment and other antiques, furniture, signs, original artwork, and more in the exact location.
First Monday has everything you’re looking for and a whole range of things you didn’t even know you wanted. Browse through a wide selection of handmade items, as well as antiques.
Do you like supporting local individuals and small businesses in the Texas community? Shopping from the First Monday Market lets you support a whole range of people and small businesses in the Tyler and Canton, Texas communities.
This is a full weekend family event. Plan on coming early and making a day of it. You can even bring your dog! Browse through an incredible assortment of delicious foods, thrift store items, antiques, handmade home décor, furniture, and so much more!
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If you want to make the most of your day at First Monday, make sure you dress for the weather, and are prepared to walk. The weather in East Texas can be changeable, so dressing in layers is always a good idea.
The largest flea market in the US is a long walk for even the most dedicated shopper, so come prepared with comfortable shoes and a stroller or wagon for your little one. And don’t forget to bring water!
First Monday is a year-round event. This gives you the chance to plan a week or long weekend getaway with your family.
Plan your visit around spending a day or two shopping, and then spend the rest of your trip exploring more of the great things this area has to offer.
One of the wonderful things about visiting the East Texas area is there’s so much for the whole family.
Especially if you visit during the spring when the region dresses up in a delightful, multi-colored quilt of wild and domestic flowers. Take a walk down the Azalea trail in March-April, when the azaleas, dogwoods, tulips, and other domestic and wildflowers are in full bloom.
Looking for accommodations for your East Texas getaway? Stay at one of the area’s bed and breakfasts, like the beautiful Rose Cottage, and enjoy a lovely, comfortable stay close to all the area’s attractions.
Staying in a local B and B gives you an even better experience of the area than staying in a hotel. Let our community host you!
Tyler, Texas, is known for its flowers—roses and azaleas in particular. Tyler is known as “the rose capital of America” and boasts some of the most beautiful rose gardens in the country. The beauty of Tyler’s roses draws thousands every year. The Tyler Rose Garden is another year-round destination. Plan your visit during the third week of October for the Annual Texas Rose Festival. You’ll see the historic town dressed up all its finery. Enjoy delicious foods at our local downtown restaurants, which will feature special rose-themed foods and drinks for the occasion.
If you want to enjoy family recreation, the area has something for everyone: walk, hike, or bike the piney woods trails; camp, boat, fish, and swim at one of the area’s campgrounds; visit the animals at The Caldwell Zoo, and so much more.
There are so many fun, inexpensive, and even free things to do in East Texas—all day, at night, and all year round.
Come for the First Monday Trade Days, and stay for the rest of the fun things historic Tyler, Texas has to offer!