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
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police move on pro-Palestinian protesters at UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.