Ripley First Monday Trade Day October Market Set Oct. 3-4

Ripley First Monday Trade Day will open its October Market the weekend of Oct. 3-4, bringing hundreds of vendors, antiques, crafts and farm goods back to the trade grounds on Highway 15 South. The market announced the dates and hours this week in a fall post on its official Facebook page, inviting shoppers to add the weekend to their autumn calendars.

The October Market falls on the Saturday and Sunday before the first Monday of the month, following the same pattern the trade day has kept for more than a century. Because the first Monday of October lands on Oct. 5 this year, market weekend falls on Oct. 3-4 rather than this coming weekend.

Ripley First Monday Trade Day Hours and Location

According to the market’s announcement, the October Market hours are:

• Saturday, Oct. 3: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 4: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The trade grounds are located at 10590 Highway 15 South in Ripley. The market has also created separate Saturday and Sunday event listings on Facebook, where more than 140 people had marked themselves as interested in the Saturday market as of Friday.

Questions can be directed to the market office at (662) 837-4051 or firstmonday@dixie-net.com, the contact information listed on the market’s official page.

A Tippah County Tradition Since 1893

First Monday in Ripley began in 1893 on the Ripley Court Square, when farmers and traders gathered in town to buy, sell and swap goods. Today, Visit Ripley describes it as one of the oldest continually running trade days in the United States. The market now covers more than 50 acres and draws visitors from across the Mid-South.

Shoppers can expect a wide mix of merchandise, including:

• Antiques, vintage items and collectibles
• Handmade crafts and home decor
• Tools, farm items and outdoor goods
• Fresh produce and food from local vendors

The market’s official page, which bills it as the largest flea market in Mississippi, has about 60,000 followers. That audience reflects how far the event’s reach extends beyond Tippah County.

Tips for Shoppers Heading to the October Market

Early fall is one of the busiest stretches of the year for outdoor markets, and the weather around Ripley has been dry and warm for much of September. 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 vendors at open-air markets prefer cash, especially for smaller purchases.
• Wear comfortable shoes. With more than 50 acres of vendor space, expect plenty of walking.
• Stay hydrated. Bring water and sun protection, especially on warm afternoons.
• Note the Sunday close. The market closes an hour earlier on Sunday, at 4 p.m.

For visitors making a day of it, downtown Ripley is only a short drive from the trade grounds and has shops and restaurants around the historic Court Square, where the trade day got its start.

More Fall Events in Ripley

The October Market is one of several community events on the Ripley calendar this fall. Later in the month, downtown Ripley will host the Spirit of Ripley Festival and Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 30. Downtown also continues to add new businesses, including Brown & Covington on South Commerce Street.

Source: Ripley’s First Monday Trade Day (Facebook); background from Visit Ripley