For a few minutes on Friday evening, one of Brooklyn’s most photographed streets became the landing zone for thousands of tiny elephants floating from the sky.
Crowds packed Washington Street on May 29 for the annual Dumbo Drop, a neighborhood fundraiser that transforms the iconic block beneath the Manhattan Bridge into a spectacle of parachuting toy elephants, live music and community celebration.
Excited families gather to check if their elephant won a prize.Photo by Erica Price
The event, organized by Team Dumbo and the Dumbo Business Improvement District, featured two drops — one at 5 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. — as the elephants descended from surrounding rooftops. The annual tradition raises money for the neighborhood’s public schools, including P.S. 307 Elementary School and The Dock Street Middle School. Tickets were priced at $18.75, a more than $3 increase from last year’s edition. It included “a souvenir toy elephant and a guaranteed spot to view the Drop” on the car-free street.
Elephants parachute from the tops of Dumbo buildings.Photo by Erica Price
“We are so thrilled to put on this wonderful event,” said Alexandria Sica, president of the Dumbo BID, addressing the crowd before the evening drop. “More importantly, thank you all for coming and buying tickets, because together we’re raising tens of thousands of dollars for Dumbo’s public schools.”
The atmosphere was extremely lively; Brooklyn-based house band The Jelly performed on the main stage, while attendees danced during a flash-mob style party, posed for photos in a commemorative photobooth, completed crafts and checked their elephant numbers for a chance to win prizes.
Among the raffle prizes were a six-month gym membership to Life Time Dumbo, a staycation package at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, gift cards from local businesses and entertainment packages from local venues.
Local band, The Jelly, performed as part of the festivities.Photo by Erica Price
As the countdown, complete with the Fogo Azul NYC drumline, ticked toward zero, excitement built among attendees. Spectators craned their necks toward rooftops while others leaned from apartment windows overlooking the street.
Local neighbors watched the Dumbo Drop from their windows.Photo by Erica Price
“Our expert elephant throwers have already assembled on the rooftops,” Sica joked before the drop.
Children race to collect their souvenir elephants at the Dumbo Drop.Photo by Erica Price
Once the countdown hit zero, toy elephants burst into the air and drifted downward, transforming the area as children scrambled to find the numbers underneath.
Each year, the elephants feature a specially designed parachute created by a local artist. This year’s design was created by artist Christian Vera.
Dumbo Drop featured crafts, photo opportunities and more.Photo by Erica Price
Now in its latest edition, Dumbo Drop has become one of the neighborhood’s signature events, drawing attention well beyond Brooklyn while maintaining its focus on supporting local schools.
“Dumbo Drop is one of the most unique and memorable sights in New York City,” Sica said ahead of the event.
A toy elephant equipped with a parachute after its descent on Washington Street.File photo by Erica Price 
Members of the Fogo Azul NYC drumline lead the countdown at the Dumbo Drop.Photo by Erica Price