Canton, Texas Trade Days Are a Shopper's Dream

Do you like to shop? Do you enjoy lots of walking and lots of looking? Throw in some bargains and unusual finds and you will enjoy visiting Canton, Texas.

Canton Texas is a small quiet Texas town located off Interstate 20. It is not quiet and unassuming the first Monday of the month. Canton Texas becomes a hub of activity. This activity actually starts on the Thursday before the first Monday. Vendors and shoppers make their way into the town for the Canton Texas Trade Days.

This popular event even has a road named for it, North Trade Days Boulevard. It is estimated that over 7,000 exhibition stalls are available and usually are full of vendors by Trade Days. Local estimates of attendance figures are 40,000 people each month. Rain or shine, wind or cold, these Trade Days are going on.

The town welcomes all with its scenery of rolling hills and the East Texas woods. The downtown area is quaint, and restaurants line the main thoroughfare. The crime rate in the town is almost nil.

People come to soak up the atmosphere and, of course, attend the Trade Days. This gigantic flea market was started years ago when the District Judge came into the area on the first Monday of the month. Stray horses were collected the previous month, and were auctioned when the Judge was in town. The common name of this first Monday sale was Horse Monday. As the years progressed, horses were not the only thing to be brought to town. Crops, eggs, and hogs were sold, also. In the early days, this event became a way for the rural pioneers to meet their relatives in town. Politicians began to use the first Monday to campaign. In the 1930's there was a decline in horse selling, and the event closed for about ten years. It started up in the l940's when hogs and hunting dogs were brought to trade. According to the Canton Chamber of Commerce, this event has been going on ever since.

There are many choices for lodging in the town. There are many RV parks, which are popular among the vendors. There are small cottages available at the Mill Creek Ranch. Bed and Breakfast Inns are available in the immediate vicinity, also. Three Springs Bed and Breakfast and Five Star Ranch are just a few of the more popular ones.

There are other motels available, also. Best Western, Super 8, and Comfort Inn are just a few of the major chains that operate motels there. Prices for lodging range from $80 to $170, depending upon the amenities.

There are several historic sites in the town. The Blackwell House Museum is the oldest home in Canton. A tour of this house can be arranged.

The Canton Plaza Museum offers the Brewers Bell Collection, and a fine collection of Indian artifacts and models made and built by Butch Boots Kennedy, a prominent citizen.

There are many festivals held in the town. There is the Valentine Western Swing, an event that brings visitors and residents together for a night of fun. The Bluegrass and Classic County Music Fest, held in June, This event brings in some of the top Bluegrass bands and singers.

The Canton Autumn Stroll and Barbecue Cookoff is held in October. This festival guarantees barbecue at its best for all to enjoy.

The Lewis Auto Swap Meet is held in October. Car enthusiasts meet and trade stories and wares during this Fall meet.

Food ranges from Mexican, Italian, Tea Room, Western, and blue plate specials. Prices range from inexpensive to moderate.

Canton Texas invites shoppers to come and browse. The choices of merchandise are numerous. The First Monday Trade Days offer a good time for all.

If you are interested in setting up a booth at the sale, vendor applications are available at www.cantontexaschamberofcommerce.com. For additional information, you can log on to this site.

References: www.cantontexaschamberofcommerce.com
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