What once were considered glorified garage sales have developed to a new level across America, and perhaps nowhere more so than in the Lone Star State. The SUPER flea market concept brings not only trash and treasure trinkets to a market setting, but often include unique hand crafted products and expensive imports - and even fine art. But in case you haven't heard, not all flea markets are created equally! Next tme you find a free weekend and are looking for a little quality road time across Texas, consider visiting one of these quality markets to find the most unique products and the best bargains. Keep in mind that most flea markets are open limited days and hours and some specialize in a particular style or quality of products sold at vendor booths. Do your research, and don't hesitte to call ahead to find out more information about a particular market before you head out. We have attempted to list only some of the largest and best markets in Texas. But there are thousands more, of course, each offering something a little different that the others. For a really cool road trip, plan on spending a week or two driving the long Texas highways in search of that perfect market. Here are a few of our favorite markets. Have fun! CANTON'S FIRST MONDAY - Held - 1ST MONDAY EACH MONTH Held weekend of first Monday. Free admission, plenty of parking. Parking charge $3. Hours: daylight to well after dark. 5,000 dealers. This massive market is so Texas sized big that one can get lost while walking around the grounds. If you are a serious collector/investor, antique dealer or decorator this is a " must stop" market. This market also conducts many popular special events. Sellers can camp in their selling space. Electricity & water available. Showers on grounds. Lots of great food, plenty of restrooms, plenty of parking. This market is so big that it is easy to get lost and not remember where you parked your car or RV. A tremendous amount of walking is required and you still won't be able to see everything in one weekend. It has the reputation of being one of the Nation's premier flea markets. Sales reported good for all types of merchandise. This place has it all. Evenings here are campfires, country musicians, gossip & fellowship; almost movie-like. Sunday is the major day at this market. Historians consider Canton to be home to America's first flea market. Space from $50. Reservations highly recommended. Contact, City of Canton, Box 245, 75103. (903) 567-6556. Fax: (903) 567-1753. Canton is located between Dallas and Tyler on the Interstate. DALLAS - Weekends The Quality Antique Fair & Flea Market. Bigtown Exhibition Hall. Big Town Plaza. 2323 Big Town Blvd. plenty of parking. Antiques, furniture, collectibles, lots of western and Indian items here, great seleciton of fine jewelry. Food available, restrooms, ac/heat. GRAND PRAIRIE - Held - SAT & SUN Traders Village Flea Market. 2602 Mayfield Road. Hours 8am to dark. Free adm. Parking charge $2. Inside, outside and covered spaces. Over 2000 selling spaces. Heavy attendancedance. A thoroughly professional market. Plenty of good food, restrooms. Lots of walking here. Considered by many to be America's finest flea market. Certainly the finest market in entire region. Reservations suggested. Many special events held in conjunction with the market. This is a grat market for bargain conscious shoppers. For sellers it is a good place to sell or buy at wholesale. It is always an excellent source market for new merchandise & imports. There are quite a few direct importers who have booths here. On the lighter side, this market has little Cushman beer carts that bring beer (and soft drinks) around to your booth.) These little carts are a most welcome sight coming down the row to your booth on those hot Texas summer days. Contact, Manager, 2602 Mayfield Rd, 75051. (972) 647-2331 or 647-8205. Fax: (972) 647-8585. LAREDO - Held - THURS THROUGH SUN Bordertown Flea Market. 359 E. Hebbronville Highway. 3 miles East of city. Hours 7am-60m. plenty of parking. Average daily attendancedance 2,500. Approximately 200 dealers. NAFTA hard at work here. Mountains upon mountains of Mexican imports. Sellers - If you want to be an importer without crossing the border, just bring big truck and lots of green money to this market. Food available, restrooms. Outdoor & covered space. Space from $10 undercover & $7. open. Camping available on site. This market is located 3 miles from Mexican border. (956) 726-1186. MCKINNEY - Held - 3RD MONDAY Third Monday Trade Days. Highway 380 West. Free adm & parking $2. Per car. Hours: 8am to dark. Outdoor market. Approximately 400 dealers. Excellent outdoor market for all types of merchandise. This is a large, well managed market with a wide range of merchandise. It is a classic, wide open Texas flea market in every sense. Shoppers will find everything from fine art and antiques to worn out junk all mixed together. Lots of walking. It's an all day adventure here, with treasures and bargains aplenty. Space from 435. Per weekend. Good food, restrooms. Contact, Manager, 3 rd Monday Trade Day, 4550 W. University Dr. 75070. (972) 562-5466 or 542-7174. Fax: (972) 562-5466. NACOGDOCHES - Held - 1ST & 4TH WEEKEND'S Nacogdoches Trade Days. 5001 NW Stalling Drive. Market open from dawn to dusk. Average daily attendancedance 3,000. Approximately 275 dealers. All types of merchandise at this market with lots of western, cowboy & farm/ranch items. Also, a good array of collectibles and memorabilia. If you are looking for a market with the feel of the old west, this rates as a real southwestern cowboy market. Food vendors ok with prior reservation. Lots of livestock sold here. 12x30 space starts at $20. Camping and electric available. Contact, Mickey Calvin, 1304 N. W. Stallings Dr., 75961. (409) 564-2150 or 560-1287. SAN ANTONIO - Held - SAT & SUN Eisenhauer Road Flea Market. 3903 Eisenhauer Road. Hours for indoor mall Monday-Friday 12am-7pm. Outdoor flea market Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm. plenty of parking. Indoor/outdoor market with approx 200 exhibitors. Indoors open daily, indoor/outdoors on weekends. Great selection of new merchandise here, electronics, sportswear, housewares, lots of discounted new merchandise. Collectibles, memorabilia, primitives. Good food here, restrooms, ac/heat. Space from $15. Contact, Pat Walker, 3903 Eisenhauer Rd, 78218. (210) 653-7592. Fax: (210) 657-1692. SCHERTZ - Held - SAT & SUN Bussey's Flea Market. 18738 I-35 North. Exit 175 or 177. Hours Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm. Saturday andSunday 7am until dark. plenty of parking. Outdoor market with approximately 500 dealers. Wide range of goods here, lots of western and cowboy items and apparel. Loaded with Mexican goods. Crafts, art, collectibles, coins. Used merchandise. Space from 412. On Saturday and $15. on Sundays. Reservations required. Food, restrooms, ac/heat. Contact, Harold Smith, 18738 I-35 N. 78154.(830) 651-6830. WIMBERLEY - Held - 1ST & 3RD WEEKEND Wimberley Market Place. Halfway between Wimberley & San Marcos. Ranch Road No. 12. Arts, crafts, antiques & quality flea market items. Currently 250 spaces. Overnight camping. electricity available. Contact, Terry Williams, P.O. Box 8, 78676. (512) 353-0300. WINNIE - Held - 1ST WEEKEND Old Time Trade Days. Highway 110, Exit 829 Highway 1663. 2 miles West of Beaumont. Hours daylight until dark. plenty of parking, parking charge $2. Market is outdoors with covered spaces. The Trade Days are held on the weekend following the first Monday of the month. Average attendancedance 45,000 per weekend. Food vendors welcome. Always over 500 dealers. This is another classic, wide open Texas flea market. It is a good source market for market peddlers, shopkeepers, and decorators as many sellers will wholesale. Lots of great food, restrooms, ac/heat. Space from $30. Reservations recommended. Contact, Larry Tinkle, 14902 Highway 1663. Winnie, TX 77665. (409) 892-4000 or 296-3300. Fax: (409) 296-3301.