Navy veterans in California have been entertaining the local community with creative bubble shows for over 10 years.
But Sandy Snakenberg, known as the “Bubble Pirate,” was wearing a pirate costume and performing his usual bubble show at La Jolla Cove in San Diego last week when he was ticketed by park officials, Fox News Digital said.
The ticket alleges that Snakenberg, 63, violated San Diego’s municipal code against littering because of the liquid from the bubble.
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Snakenberg said in a phone interview that he asked the park ranger to note the liquid from the foam, but the officer did not do it, he said.
The ticket mandates that Snakenberg appear in court in October.
Sandy Snakenberg, shown above, was ticketed last week for “liquid littering” during a performance in La Jolla, California. He is due to appear in court in October. (Barry Alman)
Snakenberg told Fox News Digital that he is a disabled Navy veteran who has traveled the world for various jobs throughout his life.
He once owned a gym in Singapore, he said, to benefit people with special needs.
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Snakenberg says he has dyslexia. He made a living from bubble art and entertainment, he said. The van with all the equipment and props became his home.
“I became more involved with bubbles, more professional, making my own juice, my own equipment. I talked to Ted when I was in Singapore,” he said.
Snakenberg was ticketed and must appear in court this October. (Sandy Snakenberg)
A Ted talk he delivered in 2016 was called “The Bubble Lesson.” It is described online as a presentation of “the journey and the lessons learned not only from the bubble but from observing others as they appear or re-appear under their magic.”
Snakenberg said, “During that time, I had heart failure, (and then) started traveling around the world doing bubbles modeled after my Ted talk..”
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The discussion is based on sociological experience with bubbles and their “connective” nature, he said.
“I just like to blow bubbles that are easy to blow and the people walking by are happy,” he told Fox 5 San Diego. “I’m hooked on sharing joy.”
Snakenberg has been performing with bubbles for over 10 years. (Barry Alman)
That grew into what we do today.
“I practice what is known as bubbleology. It is real,” he said.
Lately, Snakenberg said, vendors and artists in the community have been “summoned” to areas designated by officials.
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“They made everyone fight for these four with eight spaces, which are limited,” he said.
“They are not in a location that artists would choose for themselves. I chose the location for safety, environmental and public reasons, because if my bubble flies into the street, so will the children.”
“If I think I’m going to harm the environment or harm people, I don’t stay very long,” Snakenberg told Fox News Digital. (Sandy Snakenberg, Barry Alman)
A spokesperson for the City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department told Fox News Digital via email, “The City of San Diego respects the rights of community members to participate in expressive activities in city parks, including artistic expression. It requires those participating in these activities to do so in accordance with code and other City regulations, including those relating to garbage and waste disposal.”
“Rangers issued the lowest rate quote available.”
The spokesperson added, “In this case, the Park Rangers attempted to educate the individual multiple times that the residual substance from the bubble violates the City’s municipal code related to littering (SDMC 63.0102(c)(8) Littering). The individual used up to six gallons of liquid per day with residual chemicals on the lawn, which can cause damage to the grass.
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“After witnessing numerous violations and receiving complaints from other park users, the Rangers issued the lowest level citation available.”
Snakenberg said, “If I thought I was in any way damaging the environment or hurting people, I wouldn’t be around too much. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years.”
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“It’s not just his livelihood, but now he’s part of the community,” he told Fox 5 San Diego — noting that many people have come to see him perform over the years.
