Hailed as “one of New York City’s most exciting events” by The Huffington Post, the 17th Annual DUMBO Arts Festival starts tomorrow Friday September 27th and lasts until Sunday the 29th throughout the DUMBO neighborhood between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge. This festival will feature at least 300 indoor and outdoor contemporary art exhibitions from local to international artists, all for free. At least 200,000 people are expected to attend.
With 300+ exhibitions, the festival can seem a bit daunting, so we picked out some of the must-sees.
“Who is Chelsea Manning?” is tribute to Chelsea Manning (Formerly Bradley). Private Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison because he publicized sensitive government information, and he recently underwent a sex-change. This piece is 1,600  transparent colored flags which together re-create the image of Manning proliferated through the media at the time of his arrest. The installment will be on Water Street between Main and Washington streets Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 12-9, and Sunday 12-6.
Brooklyn Lawn Quilt is an interactive art exhibit which allows festival goers to arrange vibrant picnic blankets made out of an abstractly painted tipi. The arrangements will be continuously photographed from the Manhattan Bridge. Find this exhibit on the Main Street Lawn in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Saturday from 12-9pm, and Sunday from 12 to 6pm.
Bubbles of Hope is a choreographed and interactive procession of twenty moving sculptures through the streets of Dumbo. Festival goers are encouraged to participate in the procession and come in costume. To march, meet the team on Pier 1 at 12pm on Saturday. They will march on Water Street, Pearl Street Triangle, Main Street, and they will finish with a party at Jane’s Carousel and Tobacco Warehouse.
Concrete Justice is a play created by the theater troupe, “Theatre of the Opressed.” Actors who have experienced homelessness created their own props to chronicle their experiences navigating the housing system and seeking employment. The play will occur Sunday from 1-2pm and 4-5pm on Main Street between Plymouth and Water Streets.
In Bartertown (Trading Post XI: The Magic Feathers), participants are encouraged to bring anything they value, and haggle for an object they want. Bartertown will be just like a street fair, and there is only one rule: no money is allowed.  Bartertown will run on Saturday from 12-6pm on Washington and Plymouth Street.
To see the full list of exhibitions, check out the schedule here. If you’re looking for more check out interesting wall murals and photoville exhibits in DUMBO. Also, if you’re looking for a fun place to eat, there is Brooklyn flea-esque food (aka: asia dogs) right under the the Manhattan Bridge. And stop by local retailers Half Pint Citizens, Dabney Lee or P.S. Bookshop to get a Brooklyn Poster. Hope to see you there!