Ripley First Monday Trade Day is open this Halloween weekend, with its November market running Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, at the trade grounds on Highway 15 South. The market posted both days as public events on its official Facebook page, and its Saturday listing showed the market as “happening now” by midday.
The trade day keeps to its long-standing schedule of opening on the Saturday and Sunday before the first Monday of each month. With the first Monday of November falling on Nov. 2, this weekend is market weekend.
Ripley First Monday Trade Day Hours
According to the market’s event listings, hours are:
Saturday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The trade grounds are at 10590 Highway 15 South in Ripley. The market’s listings promise a wide mix of vendors selling antiques, handmade goods, clothing and home décor, along with local food. As of Saturday, about 190 people had responded to the Saturday event and more than 160 to the Sunday event.
In a Halloween-morning post, the market invited “treasure hunters” to spend part of the holiday shopping the grounds. Questions can go to the market office at (662) 837-4051 or firstmonday@dixie-net.com, the contact information listed on its official page.
Clocks Fall Back and Rain Moves In Sunday
Shoppers planning a Sunday trip should keep two things in mind.
Time change: Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, so clocks fall back one hour. Sunday’s 8 a.m. opening is on standard time.
Weather: The National Weather Service forecast for the Ripley area calls for showers and thunderstorms Sunday, with a 90% chance of rain and a high near 66. Saturday is warmer, with a high near 77 and a 30% chance of showers after 3 p.m., and storms are likely Saturday night.
With rain likely Sunday, Saturday may be the better day to browse the outdoor lots. Shoppers heading out Sunday should bring rain gear and check the market’s Facebook page for any weather updates before leaving home.
A Tippah County Tradition Since 1893
First Monday in Ripley dates to 1893, when farmers and traders gathered on the Ripley Court Square to buy, sell and swap goods. Visit Ripley describes it as one of the oldest continually running trade days in the country. Today the market covers more than 50 acres, and its official Facebook page, with about 60,000 followers, bills it as the largest flea market in Mississippi.
A few tips for a smoother visit:
Arrive early. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days, and the best finds often go first.
Bring cash. Many open-air vendors prefer cash, especially for small purchases.
Wear sturdy shoes. Expect plenty of walking, and possibly wet ground on Sunday.
Note the earlier Sunday close. The market shuts down at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
After the trade grounds, visitors can head into downtown Ripley, a short drive away, where shops and restaurants surround the historic Court Square where the trade day began. The next market weekend falls before the first Monday in December.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
