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Trade Days in Scottsboro, Alabama

by

Nova Sisk

Anyone looking for a good bargain should head to Scottsboro, Alabama for First Monday, the oldest trade day in the country. Other successful trade days in the region have been patterned after Scottsboro s event. The giant trade and sale day is held monthly on the weekend before the first Monday. This popular Scottsboro tradition brings many visitors to town to check out a variety of merchandise set up around the Jackson County Courthouse Square.

The next First Monday Trade Day is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 1-3, 2012. This is typically the largest sale weekend of the year, bringing thousands of people into Scottsboro. Sundays are usually the busiest days of the trade weekends, but Monday holidays are also big days. The remaining First Mondays scheduled for 2012 are September 29-October 1, November 3-5, and December 1-3.

The original trade day was held in 1902 and named Horse Swapper s Day. It was advertised to be a day for people to come into town to buy or swap horses and mules. The concept was not an immediate success. It took nearly two years to really catch on with local citizens. Gradually, as more people acquired cars and horse trading lost its importance, the trade day was changed to a Market Day. Area farmers could bring produce, eggs, milk, and other farm products into town to sell. Farmers were allowed free advertising in the local newspaper for each scheduled Market Day. Eventually the monthly event evolved into a weekend to sell all types of merchandise.

Today s shoppers can expect to find antiques and collectibles, furniture, artwork, clothing and accessories, crafts, jewelry, baskets, plants, dishes, household items, toys, and food. The event has a fun, festival atmosphere. Everyone is looking to discover a great find or score a bargain. Some vendors have booths set up on all three days, and others are onsite for only one or two days. Mondays are usually the lightest sale days, as many vendors have full time jobs and are unable to stay. Most vendor booths are set up from dawn to dusk. Shoppers should come early for the best selection. There is no admission charge, and plenty of parking is available downtown.

Scottsboro is located in the scenic Tennessee River valley in northeast Alabama. It is approximately 40 miles east of Huntsville and about 20 miles west of I-59. The town is adjacent to beautiful Lake Guntersville, one of the state s most popular recreational lakes.

Nova Sisk is the General Manager for Hampton Inn & Suites

Scottsboro Hotel

. The Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro hotel in Alabama is located in the mountain/lakes region of northern Alabama surrounded by majestic mountains and rich valleys, located minutes from Lake Guntersville. For more information visit: http://www.scottsboroalabamahotel.com

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Trade Days in Scottsboro, Alabama