April 2021
Canton First Monday Trade Days can be a little daunting for the first time visitor. It’s several hundred acres and the sheer number of visitors can generate quite a bit of traffic on the main highways (Texas State Highways 19 and 64) through Canton. Spring and fall months are the busiest. Have a general parking plan and try to get there early to avoid the congestion.
The good news is that there are lots of options for parking on Canton First Monday Weekends. Pretty much all parking is $5 – cash. No credit cards are taken for parking.
The highways have, like so many in Texas do, along with their official numbers, local names. So, depending on what Google or Siri tell you while you are driving, be prepared with the “other” name of the highways and roads around Canton, TX to avoid that panic that might set in when you think you took a wrong turn and have to sit through all that traffic again.
Texas State Highway (SH) 19 is also Trade Days Blvd (North and South).
Texas State Highway (SH) 64 is named Dallas Street (East and West).
Farm to Market Road (FM) 859 goes by Edgewood Rd and First Monday Lane.
North Gate Parking
The North Parking lot is super easy to access and gets you right on the First Monday grounds. It has a section that is paved, which is super nice on rainy days. There’s also parking in the field when the paved lot is full. The easiest way to get in is from I-20 head south on SH19. Turn right on Van Zandt County Road 2106 and the entrance is immediately to the left. If heading north on SH19 from downtown Canton, on busy days expect that there might be a long wait to make that left onto VZCR 2106. To avoid most of the road traffic altogether, take exit 529 off I-20, head south on FM859, then turn left onto Van Zandt County Road 2106. Expect a bit of traffic at the gate entrance, however.
East Parking
There is plenty of grass lot parking to the east of the First Monday Trade Days grounds. SH19 will have to be crossed once parked, but there are several cross walks that are well marked with traffic cones on First Monday weekends. On super busy weekends, the easiest access is to head north on SH19 from downtown which makes an easy right turn into the parking lots.
Southeast Parking
Parking to the SE of the First Monday Canton grounds off SH64 is behind the Valero that is at the corner of SH19 and SH64. Less traffic than on SH19, but you’ll have to walk to the main grounds. Good news is that the crosswalk at SH19 and SH64 is automated with the traffic lights. There are also some shops, such as Timeless Treasures, that are directly on the walk to the main grounds
South Parking
South parking can be accessed through both the South Gate and the Main Gate. The gate for the South parking lot is on Highway 64 across from the Chevy dealer. The actual entrance to the parking lot, and where the pay station is located, is right at the corner of Groves St and Little St. Drive straight through the gate and then cross Terrell St. Or turn onto Little St. off SH64 or Groves St off SH19. Little Street parking is a lot right at the corner. The Main Gate is on Groves St at Buffalo St.
West Gate Parking
The West gate is on FM859. Use exit 529 off I-20 and head south on FM859. Or head north on FM859 off SH64 just west of downtown Canton. The city runs a shuttle that takes visitors back and forth from the parking lot to the Famous Fields on the First Monday grounds. This lot is not as well known as the lots on SH19 which means less traffic.
Canton Civic Center Parking
Parking is available at the lot across the street from the Canton Civic Center which is on Flea Market Rd. This is a gravel lot and smaller than most of the other parking lots. The lots that are directly adjacent to the Civic Center are reserved for vendors and RVs.
Parking is also available at the Canton Marketplace and Old Mill Marketplace. Canton Marketplace has free parking and Old Mill Marketplace is $5 during peak times.
The Canton Shopping Guide is an easy to use website created to help shoppers locate anything that they are looking for in the Canton, TX area, including parking. You can search by Vendor Name, Item Category and Location. See vendor products on their profile page, easily contact them, and even save your favorite vendors.
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