Crews work vigorously to clean Santa Barbara after Old Spanish Days

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Thousands of people came to Santa Barbara for the 99th Old Spanish Days Fiesta, and now tons of trash left over, in one form or another, are getting picked up.

Crews with city parking services, parks department, public works, and many other agencies were out at dawn to take on the massive task.

They have been racking, sweeping, shoveling and dumping everything they could pick up. The Big Green company has been power washing over several impacted blocks of State St.

The X-Broom street sweeper, used on large jobs and construction sites, was called in to make multiple passes back and forth to pick up the remaining liter.

Sunday, the Mercado de la Guerra was taken down following four days of events on a main stage, along with the sale of food from about 20 vendors. Also, all the pop-ups from those selling gifts, novelties, and clothing were gone after the event concluded Saturday night to clear a path for cleaning operations.

The plaza was at capacity with crowds at times over the weekend, including for the final musical performances.

Combine that crowd with the normal flow of people going in and out of restaurants and bars in the promenade, and the impacts were the highest of the year for Santa Barbara.

By mid-day, an impressive, cleaner look to the areas appeared, after they all took a heavy impact during Fiesta activities.

Sharon Robinson was taking a break downtown and said, "I saw them blowing out the blocks with steamers. They had all the people brushing up the confetti.  I mean unbelievable! "

The difference was noticable.

"It's quite the turnaround. I was gone this weekend and came back an it's like nothing ever happened," said resident Chris Gilliland at lunch in the 500 block.

Arain Villa a downtown worker at Silver wines said, "it is really impressive how they broke everything down." Saturday night and Sunday all the food and vendor booths were packed up and the area was clear for cleaning.

Along the waterfront, the cleanup also continues in an area that saw two Fiesta parades and an expanded arts show.

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