The Wacky Things I Saw in Canton

A giant ice cream cone

A wacky lady who sells bawdy T-shirts (and wears them!)

Lots of vintage signs and lots of junk

And I couldn't resist this one, just to creep you out a little more than the previous post.

She/he/it came in her/his/its own carrying case.

And if you're not interested, there's always a garden rake or two.

 And, yes, Magpie, they have kettle corn!

For those of you who may be new to my blog, you may have seen where I refer to First Monday Trade Days as possibly the oldest flea market in the country, and some even say the world.  It all started in the 1850s when the circuit judge stopped in Canton, Texas, on the first Monday of each month to hold court.  People from the surrounding area came to the courthouse square to watch the proceedings and take care of their business.  Many brought their own goods to sell or trade, including produce, farm equipment and livestock.  It was common to see wild horses which had been rounded up for sale on trade day.  Canton's First Monday earned a statewide reputation as the best place to buy a good horse or to swap a horse with another owner.  During this period the event was commonly referred to as Hoss Monday.

In the 1940s, as the tractor became commonplace and the need for horses declined, hog and dog trading became popular.  Buyers came from surrounding states to purchase the finest cholera-free pigs sold anywhere.  First Monday became the place to find a good hunting dog.  Dog trading became so popular that many began referring to First Monday as Dog Monday.  Even today Dog Alley is known as the area where one can buy, barter or trade all kinds of poultry, dogs and cats, goats, llamas, horses and pigs and rabbits, frogs and turtles.