SAN ANTONIO – When the Fiesta fun is over, the work for others begins.
As soon as the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades ended, the San Antonio’s Public Works Department stepped in to clean up the party left in the streets.
Tons of debris was collected along the parade routes, and despite a hiatus due to COVID-19, this year it was no different. Crews led by the Public Works Storm Water Division began the process over the weekend.
Road closures stayed in placed during the clean up, which took approximately seven hours.
According to officials, over seven tons of debris was collected after the Battle of Flowers Parade and approximately 13 tons of debris was collected after the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.
In total, 65 tons of debris was picked up during Fiesta and that equals over 130,000 pounds of debris.
Paul Berry, a Public Works spokesman, told KSAT 12 that despite the two-year break, the amount of debris that was collected was more or less the same.
“We’re going to do the job, regardless, so we are just going to encourage people to have fun and do what they do. If you find a receptacle to put trash in, please try and do that. If you can’t, don’t worry about it, we’ll take care of it,” Berry said.
It took six front load enders, 12 dump trucks, 18 sweeps and a 98-person crew to clean up the mess left in the streets.
The city’s Street Division, Graffiti Abatement Department, and the San Antonio Police Department were also involved in the clean up.