2024 Dates:
May 9th & October 10th
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER APRIL 19, 2024 WILL BE ON FILE FOR THE FOLLOWING MARKET.
We invite you to visit Canton for one of the South’s original & finest arts & crafts shows! The bi-annual Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show is a ONE-day show, held on the second Thursday of May and October.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE APPLYING:
Exhibits are by invitation ONLY to participate in the Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show. Along with your completed application, you are required to send in photographs of your art or craft or food set up.
All items must be handmade, or partially handmade, by the vendor to be selected. Once an application is chosen, you will be contacted by a flea market sponsor with an invitation. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we do not send rejection emails, if we consider you for a future event we will be in touch.
All spaces are 10' x 12' in size and are $140 per space. This cost covers the $80.00 fee for the City of Canton sales permit and the Sponsor's $60.00 rental fee.
CANTON TOURISM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION OR PLACEMENT OF VENDORS AND ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION. Please refer below for application and FAQ’s:
The famous Canton Flea Market attracts artisans nationally to showcase handcrafted items such as pottery, jewelry, and unique arts & crafts. This bi-annual event attracts over 1,100 superior artists and craftsmen to within walking distance of the downtown area, who display their work on the beautiful grounds of the historic Madison County Courthouse and throughout the surrounding area.
Top Twenty Event in the Southeast
-Southeast Tourism Society
Outstanding Promotional Event in the State of Mississippi
-Mississippi Downtown Development Association
Best of the Best of Mississippi
-Mississippi Magazine
Top 100 Event
-American Bus Association
Handmade arts and crafts are located on the Courthouse grounds and the adjacent Union and Center Streets. Additional exhibits are on the church properties on Peace Street, at the Old Jail Museum behind City Hall, and on two blocks of East Fulton Street.
Take advantage of excellent shopping opportunities at the Flea Market as well as Canton’s surrounding merchants!
The Canton Flea Market features:
UNIQUE HANDCRAFTED ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS
QUALITY FINE ART AT BELOW GALLERY PRICES
BOUTIQUES & ANTIQUES STORES AROUND THE HISTORIC SQUARE
CONVENIENT PARKING THROUGHOUT THE CITY
Applications, hotel listings, and hospitality facilities are available through the Canton Tourism Office. Call (601) 859-1307 or (800) 844-3369.
Email fleamarket@cantontourism.com for additional information.
The Canton Flea Market is a litter free event.
Craft Vendors ONLY FAQ’s Canton Flea Market
The Canton Flea Market is owned by the City of Canton and managed by the Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau. Our event uses quotas in the various categories of arts and crafts and food to avoid any category from outweighing the others. This results in the denial of invitations to many good vendors, but it provides a better show for the participants and buying public.
*What dates are the flea market?
The Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show is a ONE-day event and is held on the second Thursday in May and October each year.
*How do I apply to become a Craft/Food vendor at the Canton Flea Market?
You can visit our website at www.cantontourism.com/events. Complete the application process and attach three to five photos of your work to fleamarket@cantontourism.com. Photographs play a major role in selection. Canton Tourism is not responsible for selection or placement of vendors. If you are chosen to be a vendor in the market, a flea market sponsor will reach out to you with an invitation at that time and will be your point of contact throughout.
*How do I apply to be a vendor on the Courthouse grounds?
All items must be handmade/partially handmade to be selected to participate on the Courthouse grounds. You can visit www.cantonmsfleamarket.com for the application and instructions. This application is designated ONLY for the Courthouse grounds. The telephone number is (601) 859-8055.
*What are the hours of the Canton Flea Market per City Ordinance?
8:00AM - 5:00PM. We ask that you please plan on having enough items for the entire day.
*When can we set up our merchandise?
Once you receive your invitation to the flea market, a flea market team member will have all of the instructions available for set up times.
If you are located on Courthouse Grounds, set up begins at 11:00AM the Wednesday before the flea market.
*Traffic during set up and takedown on Courthouse Square will be restricted on Fulton Street as follows:
During setup- Fulton Street one-way, running from East to West
During takedown- Fulton Street one-way, running from West to East
*Is there special parking for vendors?
Our flea market is so large it is difficult to designate parking for vendors only. We have paid parking all around the flea market area.
*Are there restrooms?
Yes, we have Port-O-Johns located throughout the flea market.
*Is there a map of the flea market zones?
See above for map.
*Are pets allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed but required to be on a leash and please be respectful and clean up behind your pet.
*How do I know where my space will be located?
Space assignments are made by the Flea Market sponsor.
*Is there a parking map or locations to park?
Parking locations are first come first serve basis. You can visit our website at www.cantontourism.com for more information on parking locations
*How much are the spaces?
Spaces must be 10’ x 12’ and the cost is $140.00 per space per City ordinance. This cost covers the ($80.00 fee for the City of Canton sales permit) and the (Sponsor’s $60.00) rental fee.
*Can I apply for more than once space?
City ordinance limits each vendor to only ONE location in town. If you are exhibiting at more than one location, you must select which location you prefer. You may have more than one space at the location, but you must buy a permit for each space. Failure to comply with the city ordinance will jeopardize your participation in future markets.
*What if it rains?
This is a rain or shine event.
*How do I receive my permit?
In order to set up, you must be issued a Flea Market permit through your flea market sponsor. It is MANDATORY this permit be displayed in your booth.
*Do I need a tax ID number?
ALL Exhibitors will be issued a permit and must use the Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show sales tax number. Sales tax is due immediately after each market to your sponsor by end of flea market day. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please DO NOT file the Flea Market taxes under your tax number if you have a business elsewhere. Taxes are to be paid by CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY and are to be payable to the City of Canton. Permits are only good Flea Market Day.
*Where can I find information about tour buses/parking?
You can find parking information on our website at www.cantontourism.com/events.
*Is electricity available?
Yes, electricity is available at most locations for an additional cost.
*Are generators allowed?
Please do not use any generators near businesses. These are loud and disturb the business that occupy the buildings near Flea Market areas. If unable to connect to electricity, we request that you utilize a generator that is quiet and does not disturb all those around. Generators are ONLY allowed in special circumstances and will need to be discussed with the sponsor.
*Can I set up a booth to advertise my business and hand out business cards?
Absolutely NO solicitation of any kind is allowed during the flea market.
*Can I transfer my invitation to another exhibitor?
It is not allowed to transfer an invitation to another exhibitor.
*When can I start selling merchandise?
Sales are ONLY permitted on Thursday Flea Market Day.
*Are golf carts/ATV’s allowed?
NO golf carts, ATV’s, motorcycles, bicycles, roller blades, skates, skateboards are allowed.
ONLY City owned and operated golf carts/ATVs are allowed.
*Is the Flea Market Handicap Accessible?
Only motorized scooters manufactured specifically for the handicapped ARE allowed. There is a ramp located on the North side of the Courthouse Square. Handicap ONLY parking is located behind the Subway and Shelby Smith’s at 3356 North Liberty Street: Canton, MS 39046.
FOOD VENDORS ONLY-
Food Exhibitor Regulations:
Must maintain the cleanliness of your area. Extra barrels have been provided near your booth. We have people removing the trash, but if you see that the barrels are becoming full, it is your responsibility to have someone from your booth empty the barrels.
Please do not allow any oil or grease to spill onto the ground in your area.
Please do not dump any cornhusks into a trash barrel without having it bagged. These fall out of the barrel and create a mess on the ground.
You are required to leave your area in the condition in which you found it. You are not to leave trash anywhere except bagged in trash barrels provided.
Please do not throw grease into the trash barrels. These can not be put into the landfill.
All food trucks and vendors must have any and all applicable licenses necessary to serve food. Where other approvals are required, you must be able to furnish appropriate licensing and registration information to your flea market sponsor.
All guidelines have been developed in the best interests of you, the flea market sponsors and for the buying public. These are for your protection and for the purpose of maintaining a quality show. If you do not see your question here, please contact us at fleamarket@cantontourism.com and we will get back to you.