You Will Believe a Flea Market Can Float

The Eastside Flea hopes to take over the city’s hapless “McBarge”

If you need definitive proof that Vancouver is striving to be the coolest city in the west, consider as evidence our current attempt to open a floating flea market. The Eastside Flea, whose monthly events have been gathering local vendors and bargain-hunters under the roof of the WISE Hall since 2013, jumped at the idea of purchasing the long-abandoned “McBarge”—a former floating McDonald’s from the good ol’ days of Expo 86 whose lustre (and novelty) ran out in the early 1990s. Moored in Burrard Inlet since it flipped its last burger, it’s since become little more than a canvas for amateur graffiti, listlessly awaiting its second coming.Even if that dream doesn’t come to fruition, you can still check out the Eastside Flea at its current home (the next one is May 23), where you’ll find everything from vintage vinyl and books to local handmade crafts and jewelry.The Eastside FleaSaturday, May 23, 10am-4pmThe WISE Hall (1882 Adanac St.)Admission $2Info: Eastsideflea.com