Event | The Eastside Flea

When I heard that Vancouver was going to have its own flea market styled after The Brooklyn Flea in New York, I knew I had to check it out. The New York Times called the Brooklyn Flea “One of the great urban experiences in New York,” and hopefully The Eastside Flea will similarly join the ranks of great events to attend in Vancouver.

The Eastside Flea was held at The Wise Hall and Lounge, and the boys and I headed over to The Drive after nap time. There was only a couple of hours left of the event when we arrived but the hall was packed out and cash was still exchanging hands as attendees discovered treasures at the various tables. Ben gravitated to the instruments and bought a fixer-upper violin for $10. I found a little, brass vintage frame to add to our bookshelf display.

We almost lost Levi to a collectible Peter Pan set. He knelt down on the floor and stared at the box set of characters from all angles. It’s was a great feat that we got him to walk away from it (an important lesson for a kid to learn, but I’ll be honest it broke my heart a little that we left it behind) without a major meltdown. That little guy has such a beautiful soul. Jethro discovered every thing that could be climbed, sat on, or driven. His cuteness caused a vendor to give him a toy car for free. Ben insisted on purchasing it and in the end we came away with two for $1. It’s the eyes!

After The Eastside Flea we strolled down to The Drive for some delicious pakoras and falafels. It was a gorgeous day; the kind of day that reminds us why Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. My legs saw their first sunshine in many, many months.

If you’re wondering, I’m still using Lent to shop my closet. I haven’t posted many pictures because my outfits quickly became mundane, but it’s the principle of the thing that matters. I’m learning to be content with what I have.

The Eastside Flea creates community, promotes Vancouver culture and is a great adventure for the whole family. If you love a good treasure hunt, the next Flea will be in April. You can check out the Facebook page for more information.