Fireworks Dazzle, Litter Remains

I took the family out to Dixon last night to enjoy some fireworks. The Dixon Rotary Club really outdoes itself each year and I have become a fan of the way that they make it happen.

One thing that I am not a fan of though is litter. And there was tons of it left behind after the show. More on that later.

The show itself was top notch. The pacing was perfect and the fireworks were varied. There were some that my daughters called the "pixie dust" ones, some that looked like willow trees and a couple that were in the shape of happy faces.

We took a spot at Hall Park not too far from the pool. Not long after the show started came annoyance #1, which gave a hint of annoyance #2. There was a guy selling light toys (swords, wands, cheap trinkets sold for 300 percent of their value, you get the picture) that were distracting from the show above us.

A whole crowd of people gathered around this guy, blocking our view, and lingered there as if brokering a major arms deal. We are talking toys here, not high-end, exotic firearms.

After they cleared out of the way, about five minutes later, all that remained was the wrappers that their $10 toys were wrapped in.

I thought, "Not only were they rudely blocking our view of the show, but they left their garbage behind. Seriously?"

After my grumbling, my family and I were able to enjoy the rest of the show. But as we walked back to our car, which was parked near Dixon City Hall, we noticed the huge amount of garbage left behind from people who were just moments ago enjoying the show.

A quick look around the park revealed even more garbage at the park including bottles, cups, the remains of safe-and-sane fireworks, paper plates, and a plethora of other garbage.

Is it really that hard to walk to the garbage bin to throw your trash away? Apparently so. But come to think of it, the city doesn't make it really easy for people to throw their stuff away.

I noted only a few trash bins at this event, mostly near the swimming pool, but none where people are actually sitting. Maybe this is why they choose to leave their trash. I can't be too sure.

All this makes me ask, who picks up the trash after the event is over? And how much does it cost?

Perhaps someone out there can enlighten me.

What was your experience at this event? Did you notice all the garbage?