- The "Daytripper" is made possible by Rudy's, real Texas barbecue.

Shipping nationwide at rudys.com.

Karbach Brewing Company from Houston, Texas, makers of Karbach Lager, a beer that is proudly partnered with Don't Mess with Texas, please dispose responsibly.

Visit Georgetown, where big ideas meet small town charm.

Georgetown, the most beautiful town square in Texas.

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, protection and peace of mind for Texans since 1952.

Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick in Georgetown.

Making Texas road trips possible for over 50 years.

Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Texas True.

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Texas' local bottler providing the Lone Star state with a variety of Coca-Cola products.

(upbeat music) - Are you a thrifter?

An antiquer, a yard sale swapper?

Do you get your jollies going junking and your happys antique huntin'?

Well, then this is the trip for you.

But even if junking ain't your jam, well, fear not, 'cause there's still plenty of reasons to day trip to Can'on, the T is actually silent, so it's Can-on, woo hoo.

(lively country music) (country metal rock music) Canton sits about 60 miles east of Dallas, right at the front door steps to East Texas and the Piney Woods.

Today, this historic downtown is bustling, and for very good reason.

So this is downtown Canton.

That is the Van Zandt County Courthouse.

Now, normally, this small town has a population of about 4,000 folks, except for 12 times a year, when the population spikes by oh, about a hundred thousand.

Because while this may seem like quaint and sleepy small town square, about two blocks that way is the chaos of the world's largest flea market.

(upbeat country rock music) That's right, known as First Monday Trade Days, it's an epic, even Texas-sized flea market that includes over 5,000 vendors across 300 acres, and that's just the official part.

It's like an out of hand garage sale that spilled out into the front yard, then into the street.

And before you knew it, swallowed the entire town.

(upbeat music continues) All right guys, are y'all ready?

- Look at this place.

- So excited.

- Are you?

(laughs) (group laughs) Yeah Luke, you seem like an antiquey kind of guy.

- 100%.

(Chet laughs) You haven't seen my house, have you?

- Not an antique in the place.

- This is crazy though, it's near endless.

There are people everywhere.

I mean, look at all the cars, all the sheds.

And they're all full of people.

I mean, what do you call these?

Pavilions?

- Yeah, sure.

- Y'all ever been to this?

I've actually been here like, three times now.

- Okay.

- I get drug here every single time.

(Daniel and Chet laugh) - I mean, they do have food.

- They they have corn dogs.

- Oh, okay, maybe I am liking this.

Pull over, let's go get, (Chet laughs) there's a big foot.

- A what?

What, a big foot?

(hums) (Daniel laughs) We'll get there, we'll get there.

But with all the walking we're gonna do today, well, we're gonna need some fuel.

And there's no better place to gas up on breakfast than the Dairy Palace.

(light metal rock music) A Canton staple that's not just open on trade days, it's open every day, all day.

So Jim, cheeseburgers for breakfast, not a bad deal, huh?

- No, it works, every day, 24-7.

(Chet laughs) - Seven, yeah, that's awesome.

So all through the night, I'm cruising through on a Friday at 3:00 AM, I can come in here and get chicken fried steak and eggs and a chili burger?

- Anything, yes sir.

- Wow.

And who doesn't crave a delicious, handmade cheeseburger on a late night road trip, or a full bacon and egg breakfast?

Owner, Jim Wise, started working at the first Dairy Palace in Madisonville, Texas, back in 1979, and soon became their first franchisee, here in Canton, with his mom and dad.

(gentle guitar music) I love walking in here 'cause it feels like it's a flashback.

I mean, it's a dose of nostalgia.

- Well, I'm sort of old-fashioned and you know, traditional values, you know?

Faith in Jesus Christ as our savior.

- Yeah?

Amen.

- And we look at the kind of business service here, you know, to the community.

We support a lot of family, folks work here.

- And that includes Jim's own family.

His son James, is at the register, while his wife Sherry, fills coffee even faster than folks can drink it.

- We have a hand in the community also, support a lot of community events.

A couple of teams every year, the four HFFA.

- I see 'em on the wall over here.

- Oh yeah, and on the screen.

- So if you win the Van Zandt County Fair, do you get the honor of being turned into cheeseburgers here at the Dairy Palace?

Is that- - Sometimes.

- Really?

(laughs) - Sometimes.

Go down in fame, huh?

- Yeah.

(laughs) Fame and flame.

(lively country music) Years after Jim opened, all the other Dairy Palace locations changed to Texas Burger.

But Jim decided he was happy in his palace made of beef and milkshakes and went independent.

- I think there's still Texas Burgers.

I don't think there's Dairy Palaces.

- No, y'all are the last buffalo there.

- Yeah.

(Chet laughs) - Speaking of buffalo, y'all actually have bison burgers on the menu.

Wild hog, venison, elk, duck, salmon, spam, even catfish burger.

(laughs) I mean, I don't know if that qualifies as a burger, but I'll buy it.

Are those as popular as the classic beef burger?

- Not so much.

- Okay.

- I mean, number one is your 1/3 pound hamburger.

- A classic, all American beauty, ground in-house every day and cooked to order.

So y'all like doing things the hard way?

- Yeah, yeah.

(Chet laughs) It makes a better burger.

- Thank you for doing this.

'cause I know it is a labor of love.

- Yes sir.

- Well, Jim, I can't decide if I want breakfast or a cheeseburger, so help me out here.

- I think the perfect item would be the Texas Sunrise.

- Okay.

- That's a burger with egg and bacon.

- Two things I love, breakfast and cheeseburgers.

- I think that'll work.

(Chet laughs) (upbeat country music) - All for Chet.

- Oh, (laughs) thank you, Jim.

Oh wow, so this is the Sunrise Burger.

It's got bacon, eggs, and hash browns on the burger.

And just to change things up a little bit, I got a bison patty.

(tongue clicks) (laughs) There you go, folks.

- Oh wow.

- That's a sign of a good egg right there, over easy.

Oh yeah, it's like an entire breakfast platter on a bun.

Oh, now I know why they give you the fork and knife.

Here we go, man.

(chuckles) Man, I think the only thing that's missing is like, a pancake on top of it, mm.

- Hey, I heard you want a pancake.

(Chet laughs) - Thank you, now, this is a proper breakfast.

- You got what you asked for.

(Chet laughs) - If I was a king and could pick a palace, well, this would be mighty high on the list.

(country rock music) And with this breakfast in our bellies, it's now time to see why me, and a hundred thousand of my closest friends have decided to day trip to Canton.

I mean, this place is like a city in itself, that includes over 5,000 vendors across 300 acres.

First Monday Trade Days.

(country rock music continues) You know, she did say, "bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses."

And by the end of this day, I will be both tired and poor.

Thank you.

First Monday is a time-honored tradition here, in Canton, that goes back to the 1800s.

In those days, the traveling circuit judge would come to town once a month, on the first Monday.

So folks started gathering to see the judge, but also to trade their wares.

A dog for a gun, a chicken for a saw, a cantaloupe for a mule, maybe a cheap mule.

And from there, well, you can see how far it's come.

To give us some insider knowledge, this is current mayor and lifelong resident, Lou Ann Everett.

Lou Ann, this is crazy.

I mean- - I know, isn't it great?

- The amount of people that get dumped down here, the amount of vendors.

- Well, it runs over Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so it's four days.

- Wait, I thought it was first Monday?

- First, oh, just, well, (Chet laughs) Monday's not the biggest day anymore.

- In fact, by Monday everyone's packed up and headed home, but for the weekend before, it's on like Junky Kong.

You grew up in Canton, right?

- Absolutely, yes.

I sold gerbils, I had gerbils as a kid and I'd get too many of 'em.

I'd come down here, in a cage, and I would sell 'em and the kids would love 'em, and I'd get rid of the gerbils.

- You're kidding me, make a couple extra bucks?

- (laughs) Yeah.

- Better than a lemonade stand I guess, these days animals are about the only thing not sold or swapped here, on site.

You have to head across town for that.

But in the past, well, the rules were a little looser.

- One of the funniest things that ever happened was two men met, and they decided to change wives.

So they went into the courthouse and you know, got their wives all swapped out.

(Chet and Lou Ann laugh) - So you can come down here and even find a new wife?

- Well, probably not swap wives.

- Okay, yeah.

- But yeah, anything's possible nowadays.

- Anything's possible in Canton.

There's still no telling what you'll find scattered across these grounds, like freeze dried sour worms?

That's a first, even for me.

They look like big Cheetos.

- They do.

(worm crunches) They're kinda like cotton candy, it goes- - Whoa.

- Do you get the, I got a sweet one.

- Woo, that's sour.

That is bizarre.

That's like, you ever bought Astronaut ice cream as a kid, it's like, freeze dried?

- Yeah, yeah.

- That's what this is.

When we start day tripping to space, we'll bring a big bucket of these.

You got actual junk and junk food.

- Absolutely.

- That's a perfect- Goes better now.

- Yeah.

(laughs) You don't come here to save money or calories.

Thank you, world famous Canton lemonade.

You can't come to trade days without the world famous lemonade.

Whoa, it's gonna help me power through, on we junk.

You come to Canton for a junkin' good time, so let's go shopping.

(lively country music) Now, I don't quite know where to jump in on this, there's so many different booths, it's endless.

This is the Texas Christmas elf right here, see?

No need for long coats and pants.

Which one do you think my wife wants for Christmas?

You think she would rather three gentlemen at a bar or hunter and dog?

Safety first, for cases of extreme junking.

(knuckles rap) You just never know.

Could you be a deer, and share this chair with me please?

You know I have a thing for old taxidermy, right?

All right, got riddle for you.

What's a sign, you love to see it come, but you hate to see it go.

This is the sign that lets the day tripper know he should stop and turn around, right there.

You seen this one?

I don't know where that one is.

Oh, it had a T in it, I thought it was Canon.

You see a turtle on the highway like this, then you stop and help the brother out.

They need to go like that.

Oh man, this is rough, this poor kid is getting dunked on for all of eternity.

You know what they call that?

Getting LeBronzed.

(laughs) - That's a good joke.

I could hear that.

- Credit goes to Greg.

That's a funny joke though.

That's a funny joke.

(country music continues) Hey, my old buddy.

I mean, this guy loves East Texas.

All right, I found you, tag, you're it.

But eventually, even a seasoned tripper runs outta steam.

Ah ha, oh, my legs are so tired.

I can't walk any further.

- Chet, there's gotta be a better way.

(music ends) (fingers snap) (light bulb pops) (choral music) - There is a better way.

(metal rock music) (seat whirs and clicks) (motor rumbles) (metal rock continues) (upbeat country rock music) This is crazy, I mean, there is no way you could see this all in a day, much less an afternoon.

I mean, it takes all weekend just to walk around this place.

And I guess that's why these vendors keep coming back, 'cause it's gonna take many, many, many First Mondays just to see all their stuff.

If you're a junker, this is ground zero in Texas, for sure.

These vendors scour the country, looking for interesting things to bring here and sell.

And many have been coming to Canton for decades, including the matron of bling, Sherry Dykes.

- Since 1985, what brings me back is the people, the customers, and gentlemen like you.

- Look at this, she's a charmer, that's why she's been in business so long.

- This one here is a $5,000 ring and to you is 3,000.

- Whoa, she's cutting deals too, it's not bad.

And before I know it, I'm shopping for rings?

Better bring your billfolds men.

(country rock music) So you're the one they call String Bean?

- I am String Beans.

(Chet laughs) - And you make all this stuff?

- I make this stuff, yeah.

- Whoa.

- So this is just what I call fun.

- Yeah, well- - So obviously, I got problems, you know?

(Chet laughs) These regular dinner bells, that's always popular.

(metal rings) - Ah, makes me want to eat.

- Yeah.

- Like Pavlov's dog.

(lively music) It is amazing how much food is out here.

I mean, they got tacos, barbecue, fried catfish, funnel cakes.

But like, in a setting like this, I'm a sucker for a classic, fair corny dog.

No ketchup, I'm not a psychopath.

- Wait, you can't have ketchup?

- I'm not putting ketchup anywhere near my corny dog, all right?

- Why?

- It's disgusting.

(lively country music) You know, I didn't think I was hungry, but when it's all right here.

(lively music continues) How spicy do I like my salsa?

It's like, you knew I was gonna like this.

- Thank you so much.

(lively music continues) - Is that ketchup, Chet?

You just put ketchup on that?

(laughs) - I'm not a psychopath.

Oh yeah, this is handmade craftsmanship that you don't find anywhere at the big box stores.

That is, oh wow.

(lively music continues) (gasps) A Red Ryder BB gun, just for me?

- Nah.

- No, you're right, sorry.

- He never learns.

(organ music) - Chet, Chet, don't eat the corny dog ketchup.

It's poison, it's how they killed me.

And anyone who puts ketchup on a corny dog is a psychopath.

See?

He said it, not me.

- Yeah, I get the point.

- He said it.

(laughs) Ah, I hate to see it.

(melancholic music) You do this too long, kids, you become the junk.

(palm taps) Sorry buddy.

Happens to the best of us.

I think I'm tapping out for today, but I'll be back, for sure.

(metal rock music) We're gonna start to incorporate scooters into everyday day trip from now on.

- Now, I'm okay with that.

- That was awesome.

Not to get too deep here, but you do realize that when you die, all of your junk is gonna end up at Canton.

And that's where we all end up.

Our stuff - All of our stuff ends up in Canton.

- Canton, you buy stuff, you have it in your house, you die, someone else buys it.

They have it in their house, they die, it ends up in Canton.

All stuff.

♪ The circle of stuff - The circle of stuff.

(laughs) ♪ And it rules us all (country music) Stuff certainly abounds in Canton, year round.

And just because it ain't First Monday, that doesn't mean the town disappears.

In fact, the Van Zandt County Square is now, more vibrant than it's been in decades.

And there are excellent shops all around, like Axe and Arrow, for dude stuff.

There are bookstores with shelves all the way to the ceiling, and bakeries.

Oh the bakeries.

All making for some great tripping year round.

Now, Van Zandt County is actually a really interesting place with a unique history all its own, because on more than one occasion it was its own country.

Well, at least for a few glorious moments.

And it was called The Free State of Van Zandt.

Seriously, look it up.

And while independence never really stuck, an independent spirit still pumps through the blood of this town.

But I do believe it's time to step away from the center of town and find some fresh air.

Well, fresh-ish.

(metal rock music) This is Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari, 200 Texas acres, with a meandering 3 1/2 mile road covered in hungry, hungry animals.

And this is owner, Michael Davis.

- We enjoy the kids coming out and getting close, you know?

That's our main deal, is letting people get super close to these animals.

On the other side of it, still having an opportunity to do our part in conservation.

- Rocky Ridge has 28 species scattered across the ranch, some of which are extinct in the wild.

- We raise 'em here and they go to other ranches.

They breed and raise and it's just a automatic conservation.

- And so through stuff like this, tourism, we're able to repopulate these animals in the wild?

- 100%, yeah.

- That's amazing.

- Pretty cool, yeah?

- That's really cool.

I came to see your wild animals, but I brought some of my own wild animals.

- Alright, let's go, get y'all some feed.

(bright country music) - Okay, here we go.

Okay, roll your windows down y'all, get ready for the wild animals, you bunch of wild animals.

And with a car full of feed, it doesn't take long for our four-legged friends to start lining up.

- Can we feed 'em out of our hand?

- Yeah, you can.

Don't let it bite your fingers off.

- Eh.

- Whoa man, you are- - Is that funny, is that crazy?

(children chatter) (hands clap) Oh my, oh my, ah.

(laughs) (Cannan squeals) Whoa, Cannan, there's another one.

He just wants to be part of the family and we could always use a new pet, but I don't think we have space to adopt all of his extended relatives.

I think that's a fallow deer?

Is this awesome, Shepard, do you love this?

Look how baby they are.

- I've seen baby donkeys before.

(country music) (Laura speaks faintly) - Here comes the zebra.

- Awesome.

- Emu, they're dinosaurs.

- They do look like dinosaurs.

- (squeals) Got my pinky.

(Chet laughs) - Just when you think you've seen all the animals, Watusi time, (laughs) he's huge.

Whoa, whoa.

(laughs) - Ew, it did it to me again.

- (laughs) You got slimed.

- Just need a good bath, a good rain.

- I think we all need a good bath after going through this.

(cheerful music) Hey.

- Why, hello there.

(Greg barks) (text dings) - Look, feed that wild animal, Shepherd, feed it.

(Greg barks) (cheerful music) (group laughs) (nuts clatter) (Chet laughs) Uh oh guys, here's the camel.

Oh no, grab the bag, grab it, grab it.

He can't, grab it, no, grab the bag.

No, (laughs) did it eat the bag?

- Yes.

- Fielding?

- He ate the bag.

- Extra fiber.

These are the priceless moments of day tripping.

And now that the animals have eaten their dinner, well, I'm ready for mine.

And let me tell you, I am as thirsty as a camel or maybe in Canton, it's thirsty as a mule?

So let's head back to the Canton Square for dinner at the Kickin Mule.

(country metal rock music) This spot opened in 2019, bringing scratch made southern flavors and upscale drinks to dinner in Canton, all while kick-starting a downtown renaissance.

And these are the owners, Steven and Stacy Alexander.

Thank y'all for hosting us.

- Happy First Monday.

- We've gotten a little hot out there.

Oh, this is good, so what am I drinking?

- That is Blackberry Whiskey Smash.

- I'm getting the seeds, I mean, these are real blackberries.

- Yes.

- Very good.

- It's the real deal.

Everything in here is not out of a bottle.

- From scratch, and this is beautiful too.

So walk me through what we're eating.

- Homemade onion rings, avocado halves with shrimp remoulade.

- Ooh man, y'all know how to eat, here in Canton.

(gentle country music) Steven and Stacy moved out of the big city in search of a small town to raise their girls, and soon found themselves as both restaurateurs and historic preservationists.

Was this building ready to go as a restaurant?

- Lord, no.

(Chet laughs) This building's been a little bit of everything.

This was the first building built on this side of the square.

This was the first brick building.

This was the first building with an air conditioner, (Chet laughs) built in 1918.

And this was a complete accident.

- So had y'all ever owned a restaurant, ever done this?

- No.

- Y'all are crazy then.

- Yes, we are.

- Yes.

(group laughs) - Absolutely nuts.

- We've got a sign up there, "The best memories are made around the table," so here we are.

- How did y'all come up with the menu?

- Mostly Miss April, she brings over her own recipes from her mama and her grandmama.

- All I know is Chef April cooks with love, that's what she tells everybody.

I don't know what makes her so different but- - Her kitchen.

- Yeah.

- And they're not lying, Chef April and her team whip up some of the best cooking this side of the Sabine.

I'm talking chicken fried steak, bone-in pork chops, cornbread ham sandwiches, and this banana pudding taco?

I mean, the ultimate question though, what do I need for dinner?

- You gotta taste it all, I don't care if you're eating here.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay.

- And if you've got something to say, say it to me, don't say it's a Chef April.

- Okay, I'll make sure.

- She would invite you to the back parking lot.

- Duly noted, okay, duly noted.

(laughs) (Stacy laughs) I better go straight to the source.

Alright, Miss April, I heard this is your domain.

- Yes it is.

(Chet and April laughs) - They were even scared to come back in your kitchen.

I understand y'all really aren't cutting corners back here at all.

- No, if it's done the easy way, then we'll be like everybody else.

- What is your signature dish, if there's a Miss April dish?

- The ribs.

- Okay.

- That's my creation, that's my thing.

I fry 'em up and I serve 'em on loaded mashed potatoes with onion rings on top.

Barbecue sauce, spicy barbecue sauce is best.

- That sounds decadent.

- Got to step out.

- You're awesome, really awesome.

- Thank you.

- Now she's speaking my love language.

Ooh no, that's ridiculous.

Thank you.

- You're welcome.

(laughs) Look at this.

You usually eat ribs with your fingers, right?

Does that rule apply here?

It's gonna get all over your face anyway, 'cause that's what good ribs do.

(gentle upbeat music) Oh, that's so good.

Is it on my face, can you see it?

Is it there?

Hmm, that is awesome.

You get that really juicy, tender pork rib with the crispy fry on it, and then the barbecue sauce, like, clean 'em off the bone right there.

Some dishes just defy any explanation, and this is one of 'em.

Like, does that really work?

Can you really deep fry pork ribs?

And the answer, yes you can.

Yes you Canton.

(donkey brays) (upbeat music) Once you see a flea market this big, you can't un-see it.

An experience greater than the sum of its junk, in a town that's much greater than what happens once a month.

And whether you leave with a car full of collectibles or just a mind full of memories, there's always something worth discovering in Canton.

And while almost everything wraps up by sundown, there are a few places that stay open later and keep the logs burning for guests.

I mean, what s'more could you want from a day trip?

So I'll see all y'all out on the road, vaya con dios amigos.

Oh no, (blows) whew, that was a close one.

I hope y'all like your s'mores extra crispy.

- The "Daytripper" is made possible by Rudy's, real Texas barbecue.

Shipping nationwide at rudys.com.

Karbach Brewing Company from Houston, Texas, makers of Karbach Lager, a beer that is proudly partnered with Don't Mess with Texas, please dispose responsibly.

Visit Georgetown, where big ideas meet small town charm.

Georgetown, the most beautiful town square in Texas.

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, protection and peace of mind for Texans since 1952.

Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick in Georgetown.

Making Texas road trips possible for over 50 years.

Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Texas True.

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Texas' local bottler providing the Lone Star state with a variety of Coca-Cola products.