Labor Day Weekend in DUMBO

Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn Bridge Park. New York, 2020

Holidays have been a blur in 2020 as COVID-19 continues to alter the ways we mark the passage of time. Labor Day Weekend was different in Brooklyn this year. The annual Jouvert Celebration went virtual and organizers cancelled the West Indian Day Parade. So instead of dancing, people watching, enjoying incredible food, and marveling at the colorful cultural garb, I grabbed my camera and biked to DUMBO.

Parallel Lines: The Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge tower over DUMBO. New York, 2020

Brooklyn’s posh waterfront neighborhood was buzzing with activity as locals and a scattering of tourists enjoyed outdoor dining and gathered in Brooklyn Bridge Park. I avoided the area’s busier sections, spending the day admiring architecture on DUMBO’s quieter streets and in nearby Vinegar Hill.

One of the city’s more aesthetically pleasing historical districts, DUMBO’s converted warehouses, cobblestone streets, pristine waterfront, and majestic bridge views are immortalized in dozens of films, television series, and classic photographs. Luckily, the weather was perfect this weekend, bathing the neighborhood in crystal blue skies, warm sunlight, and deep shadows.

City Bikes and the Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020

The subway trains rumbling over the Manhattan Bridge and boats zipping by on the East River reminded me of simpler times in the city.

Manhattan Bridge. New York, 2020

As I walked around the neighborhood, it felt like any other day. A stop along the river’s pebbled shore offered a stunning glimpse of New York’s impressive skyline. But, COVID-19 was omnipresent, as most people wore face coverings and signs reminded park goers to socially distance and mask up.

A man walks through Brooklyn Bridge Park wearing a mask. New York, 2020

Regardless, I felt better than I have in months by engaging in one of my favorite activities: photographing New York City.