El Camino Trade Days Planned by Jay Ermis.Temple Daily Telegram

El Camino Trade Days planned for October in Milam

by Jay Ermis - Temple Daily Telegram

September 9, 2012

The first annual El Camino Real Trade Days will be Oct. 27-28 at four locations in

Milam County.

The Trade Days route will follow the present El Camino Real National Historic Trail in

Milam County, which currently has 31 miles of venue for treasure hunters to navigate.

The trail has gateways in Cameron, Rockdale and Thorndale, with Apache Pass at the

center of the route. A variety of vendors and traders will be at various places in

towns and parks, Apache Pass and along the trail, selling their antiques, wares and

concessions for a unique selling and shopping opportunity for all.

The trade days culminate with a consignment auction 3 p.m. Sunday. The committee

welcomes individuals to bring whatever they would like to sell - from antiques to

airplanes.

This is a non-profit event. All monies collected from booth fees and/or auction will be

invested back into next year’s Tradin’ on the Trail.

Booths are available at Apache Pass, Wilson Ledbetter Park and Cameron, Wolf

Park in Rockdale and City Park in Thorndale.

A group of elected officials and business leaders from throughout Milam County came

together in July to discuss a plausible idea of developing a trade days route in Milam

County.

Milam County Judge Dave Barkemeyer said El Camino Real Trade Days is a great idea.

“I look forward to it becoming a reality for Milam County,” he said. “Currently,

getting the trail signage up is top priority to make us the first county to

get trail identification in place in the state.”

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and other dignitaries will be on hand Oct. 8

for that dedication, he said.

“To have plans in place for the Trade Days event will show the rest of Texas and beyond

that Milam County intends to make the most out of having the national trail come

through our county,” Barkemeyer said.

“The Cameron Chamber of Commerce is pleased to participate with El Camino Real Trade

Days,” said Cameron Chamber Manager, P J Jennings. “We look forward to bringing

visitors to Milam County to visit El Camino Real National Historic Trail and enjoy our

hospitality.”

Thorndale Chamber president Brian Morton agreed.

“El Camino Real Trade Days is a great idea, for a special event that allows Milam

County and its communities the opportunity to capitalize on our history and unique

assets,” Morton said. “The Thorndale Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to work with the

Cameron Chamber of Commerce, the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, Apache Pass, and the El

Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail Association to combine our efforts and

promote this special event to help raise awareness of Milam County and the historic

trade route that travels through it.”

Rockdale Chamber President Deedra Jacob said they are “extremely excited to be part of

the event. “The Rockdale Chamber will work closely with the Cameron and Thorndale

Chambers as well as Apache Pass on executing the trade days.”

jermis@tdtnew.com

All articles from the Temple Daily Telegram are published with the permission of the
Temple Daily Telegram.
All credit for this article goes to
Jay Ermis and the Temple Daily Telegram

El Camino Real Trade Days

Oct. 27-28 in Milam County

For information, call

254-697-4949 in Cameron;

512-429-1251 at Apache Pass;

512-446-2030 in Rockdale; and

512-269-8796 in Thorndale

or go to the website at www.elcaminorealtradedays.com.