A California Navy veteran has been entertaining locals with his creative bubble performances for over a decade.
But Sandy Snekenberg, known as the “Bubble Pirate,” told Fox News Digital that he was ticketed by park officials last week at La Jolla Cove in San Diego while dressed in a pirate costume and putting on his usual bubble routine.
The fine alleges that Snaekenberg, 63, violated San Diego's anti-littering ordinance by using the bubble liquid.
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Snaekenberg said in a phone interview that he asked park rangers to document that the liquid came from foam, but they failed to do so.
The order requires Snakenberg to appear in court in October.
Sandy Snaekenberg, pictured above, was fined last week for “littering” during a show in La Jolla, California. He has a court date in October. (Barry Ullman)
Snekenberg told Fox News Digital that he is a disabled Navy veteran who has traveled the world in a variety of jobs.
He said he used to run a gym in Singapore to help people with special needs.
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Snakenberg said he is dyslexic and makes a living from bubble art and entertainment in a van that doubles as his home, carrying his equipment and props.
“I got more professionally involved with bubbles, made my own juices and equipment, and even gave a TED Talk while in Singapore,” he said.
Snaekenberg was fined and must appear in court in October this year. (Sandy Snekenberg)
His 2016 TED talk is called “Lessons from the Bubble,” described online as a presentation of “his journey and the lessons he learned not only from the bubble but also by observing others who have been exposed to and re-exposed to its magic.”
“During that time, I suffered from heart failure,” Snaekenberg said. [then] I started traveling around the world blowing bubbles, modeled after TED talks.“
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He said the talk was based on sociological experience with bubbles and their “bonding” properties.
“I was just enjoying blowing some simple bubbles and people passing by enjoyed it too,” he said. Fox 5 San Diego“I became obsessed with sharing that joy.”
Snakeenberg has been performing with bubbles for over 10 years. (Barry Ullman)
This led to what he practices today.
“I practice something called Bubbleology, and it's the real deal,” he said.
Recently, area vendors and artists have been “congregated” into 4-foot by 8-foot areas designated by officials, Snakenberg said.
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“They're making everyone compete for a limited 4-by-8 space,” he said.
“Soap Bubbles is not a location that an artist would choose for themselves. The location was chosen with the environment and public safety in mind. If bubbles fly in the street, kids will fly too.”
“If I felt like I was damaging the environment or hurting people, I wouldn't have lasted long,” Snakenberg told Fox News Digital. (Sandy Snekenberg, Barry Ullman)
A spokesperson for the San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation told Fox News Digital in an email, “The City of San Diego respects the right of local residents to engage in expressive activities, including artistic expression, in City parks. As such, people engaging in these activities must follow other City rules and regulations, including those regarding littering and waste disposal.”
“The Rangers have filed the lowest level of charges available.”
The spokesperson added, “In this case, park rangers have attempted multiple times to explain to the individual that the foam residue is in violation of the city's trash ordinance (SDMC 63.0102(c)(8) Trash). The individual is using up to six gallons of the liquid per day, and the residual chemicals could run off onto grassed areas and damage the grass.”
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“After observing numerous violations and receiving complaints from other park users, rangers issued the lightest possible tickets.”
“If I felt like I was damaging the environment or hurting people, I wouldn't be around much longer. I've been doing this for over 10 years now,” Snaekenberg said.
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“This isn't just my livelihood, it's actually become part of the community now,” he told Fox 5 San Diego, noting that the same people have been coming to see him perform for years.
