14. Silly String Carries a $1,000 Halloween Fine in Hollywood
Hollywood often conjures images of partying and excess, and it turns out that Halloween is no exception. Every year, hordes of revelers would descend on Hollywood to party in their costumes. One item the frequently brought was Silly String; the infamous mess-maker often used at senior proms and other light-hearted events. Silly String creates its havoc due to some exciting science. The string is a plastic that sprays from a can in a fluid thanks to the aerosol. As the stream leaves the can, the solvent that creates the liquid texture quickly evaporates which forms a continuous strand of thin plastic.
Silly String became so popular that street vendors began appearing along Hollywood streets selling the product. These vendors were illegally set-up without permits to sell the messy product. The mess and vandalism associated with Silly String became so severe that, starting in 2004, Silly String has been completely banned in Hollywood.
Revelers who attempt to use Silly String within Hollywood city limits will face steep penalties. The minimum charge is a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. This fine extends to mere possession of the product within city limits, so be warned! The ban’s window runs from 12:01 a.m. on October 31st to 12:00 p.m. on November 1st.