In this episode of Mississippi Roads we travel to the Madison County town of Canton for the bi-annual Canton Flea Market.

The Canton Flea Market Arts and Crafts Show began in 1965. Fifteen artists showed up and hung their paintings on the historic courthouse fence here on the square. Today, the market is held twice a year in May and October and it is always on the second Thursday of the month. Vendors normally arrive on Wednesday and the shoppers can be found out here with their flashlights as early as 5:00 am searching for that one of a kind special item. The quiet little town of Canton is totally transformed into a shopper’s mecca for these two days a year.

And speaking of transforming a town; the tiny town of Maben had a rather unusual event occur there that had an impact on some residents for much of their lives.

In 1923 a young Aviator took off from Americus, Georgia in his "Jenny" to meet up with some fellow Barnstormers in Texas. On the way he ran into some heavy weather and had to put the plane down and in doing so damaged his aircraft. He ended up spending a week in the town of Maben and when he got his plane repaired he gave rides. This was the first plane many of the towns folk had ever seen let alone flew in. Needless to say it was a huge event in this little rural town. Four years later this Aviator became a world wide celebrity for being the first person to fly the Atlantic non-stop. He was Charles Lindbergh.

All of the exhibitors on the square in Canton must first fill out an application and supply photos of their arts and crafts. They are then judged on the integrity of their work before they are allowed to exhibit at the flea market. All items must be handmade and the original artist must accompany the work in the ten by twelve spaces that are assigned to them.

Gail Pittman is one of the well known artist who got her start here at the Canton Flea Market. She began selling her ceramic pieces here on the square in the 1980's and today her business has expanded to over one hundred employees that distribute her line of hand-painted dinnerware and accessories to more than 450 retail stores.

And speaking of owning your own business, in our next story we meet a husband and wife in Natchez who have started their own business. It is the business of cheese, goat cheese that is.  Dr. Marshall Hawkins, a dentist and his wife Dr. Lynn Palmer a physician, never imagined that their small farm outside Natchez would turn into another full time business for the couple. After a friend recommended they get a scrub goat to help keep their fence lines clear; things began to snowball. Today, “Dr. Cheese” has become known for producing some of the finest goat milk and goat cheese available.

You know that Canton is the place to come if you want to buy arts and crafts but now Canton is teaching arts and crafts as well. In the summer, numerous classes are offered for children and throughout the year adults can attend various types of painting classes here at the Allison’s Wells School of Arts and Crafts.  The school is named after Allison’s Wells which was a popular resort and art colony located ten miles north of Canton. It opened in 1879 but was lost to fire in the early 1960's.

Another organization that originated from the grounds of Allison’s Wells was The Mississippi Art Colony and that is the subject of our next story. Today, outstanding artist/instructors teach the five day sessions which are held about the last week in April and the first week in October. Beginning on Tuesday afternoon for set-up, meet and greet, dinner and a talk by the visiting artist/instructor... and winding up on Sunday with a morning critique of work produced during the session. The Mississippi Art Colony provides a unique opportunity for its members to come together and work on honing their beloved craft.  The Smithsonian lists the Colony as the country's oldest artist-run organization of it's kind.

People come to the Canton Flea Market for the shopping. As a matter of fact; they are drawn here from thirty-six different states from across our country with the largest group coming from our neighboring state of Louisiana. One of the side benefits that the flea market offers is the assortment of great food that is available. From Penn’s original chicken on a stick which originated here in Canton to funnel cakes to the very popular Louisiana based Rockin’ Rogers Cajun Pistols; you’re sure to find something that fits your fancy.

And speaking of good food, next we travel up to the delta to the town of Cleveland where K. C.’s Restaurant serves up some of the finest food that can be found in the state of Mississippi.  At the forefront of the culinary revolution in Mississippi is Wally Joe. He began his culinary education as a child growing up in the restaurant his family owns. Although he was learning the basics of cooking from his parents as a teenager, Wally decided to pursue a degree and career in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi.  While in college, Wally traveled extensively during his breaks.

It was during these travels that his interest in food and cooking was rekindled. His travels took him throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and South America. He visited the finest restaurants each area had to offer. He also began to read every cookbook and food reference book that was available.  After graduating with a degree in business from the University of Mississippi in 1987, he returned to the family owned business to begin his career in cooking. It was during this period that he began to experiment and practice his ideas.

Although the restaurant had been in operation for 15 years, its success and fame rose to new heights when Wally became Chef de Cuisine in 1989. His attention to detail, cooking abilities, and an obsessive quest for quality, garnered rave reviews from every major newspaper in the area. KC's is the only restaurant in the Mid-South with a Four Star rating from the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Jackson, MS Clarion Ledger.

The Flea Market is a great vehicle for fund raising for the many churches of Canton. At the First United Methodist Church of Canton they cook up some chicken dinners to help fund youth projects and they are also selling some wonderful cookbooks which are full of great homemade recipes. The proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will help them install a new elevator in the church. So the flea market produces a wide benefit for the town of Canton.

In our next story, we travel over to Clinton for an art show that guarantees to benefit some needy animals.  You've grown to love her through her best selling novels, small stage work and co-hosting talents on Mississippi Roads. Now you'll learn about another passion of Nevada Barr's. We'll take you to an art show in Clinton, Mississippi to show you how one of Nevada's "pet projects" is helping to save the lives of stray and unwanted animals.

When you come to the Canton Flea Market you can expect to find over one thousand artists and craftsman showcasing items such as pottery, jewelry and unique arts and crafts. One of the booths you will find here is run by Betty and Buck Mosal. They are from Clinton and have been coming to the flea market since 1979. This year they are selling items made from hand-picked cotton. Angels, snowmen and wreaths are some of the pieces that they are specializing in this year. This husband and wife team are artists that have been perfecting their craft for many years.

And speaking of perfecting your craft, next we meet a Ridgeland man who has spent decades honing his skills as a bullwhip artist. George Glass likes to crack the whip, literally. From the first time he saw a sideshow demonstration by a bull whip artist; he became hooked. Today, he owns more than twenty-five whips and he’s still just as fascinated as ever. As one of the 1,100 members of a world wide Whip Enthusiasts organization, he continues that desire by sharing his knowledge, and skills in whip cracking with others.

When the Canton Flea Market first started it was located exclusively on the grounds of the historic courthouse square. The vendors would show up with their card tables, a chair and whatever they had to sell. Today, it is known as the Canton Flea Market Arts and Crafts show; spaces and merchandise are very strictly regulated and the market has expanded to include portions of Peace and Fulton Streets.

In our next story, we travel up north to the town of Ripley for their monthly flea market where you can find anything from food to antiques to livestock. Ripley’s First Monday Trade Days is the oldest flea market in the state of Mississippi.  Mississippi's largest flea market, the First Monday Sale and Trade Days have been taking place in Ripley since 1893. Originally held on the first Monday of every month, the event now takes place on the weekend preceding the first Monday. Hundreds of vendors, both professional and amateur, set up booths to sell their wares - from sweet potatoes to t- shirts to microwave ovens and everything in between. A variety of delicious foods and concessions are offered. Dining facilities, electrical hookups, dump station, showers, laundry room, table rental, TV cable hookup, and early morning church services are available on the grounds. More than 200,000 visitors annually enjoy the festivities.

Voted one of the Top Twenty Events in the southeast, the Canton Flea Market attracts up to 1,000 artists and craftsmen from across the country. If you are not able to make it to the bi-annual event, enjoy the hospitality and shopping variety of the famed Canton Flea Market year- round by visiting the Market Gallery, a unique collection of the best that the twice-yearly event has to offer. More than forty of the Flea Market's core Courthouse Square exhibitors plus local artists and craftsmen are represented in the Gallery. Offerings include watercolor and oil paintings, colorful canvasses, pottery, funky yard art, etc. A distinctive selection of gifts, accessories, and antiques is also available.