Grinch cuts holiday light display in Kitchener park
A holiday light display in Kitchener was meant to bring joy.
But instead, it was hit by vandals.
Christmas Fantasy opened in Victoria Park on Dec. 4, and since that time, lights and electrical cords have been found cut on two separate occasions.
Irina McCrossan said the display has been especially meaningful to her amid the challenges of the pandemic.
"I would walk around here and it would actually bring me some joy," she told CTV News.
"Victoria Park is a well-used space and it just sort of brings it alive during the holiday season," said Debbie Chapman, the councillor for Ward 9.
The Christmas Fantasy event is organized by the city with help from other organizations, including the Kitchener Pioneer Lions Club.
"We came and saw electrical cords that were out of the main panel," said Jessica Bailey, who works with the club.
The damage was discovered on two separate days.
Bailey calls the situation disheartening and dangerous.
"Depending on the cord, they're live. And then you have a hazard for the public."
Volunteers have tried to make repairs to the displays, but not everything can be fixed.
"Because of how it's wired at the beginning, we can't fix [some of them]," said Bailey.
This isn't the first year the displays have been damaged, but Bailey said the latest incident has been especially bad.
Losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of dollars.
"Please stop," pleaded Bailey. "We do this for the community, including you, to bring joy."
Those walking through the park were also disappointed to learn about the damage.
"Any kind of vandalism is wrong, but definitely when it's just something that's made to get people in the Christmas spirit," said Soleil Grise, who works nearby. "It seems extra intolerable."
"They're trying to bring joy to us," added McCrossan. "You're not only taking the joy away from yourself, but from other people."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Almost 2 months after it destroyed Baltimore's Key Bridge, the Dali cargo ship has been moved
The cargo ship Dali is being moved from the site of its catastrophic collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in a crucial step toward fully reopening the busy Port of Baltimore.