Grinch-like vandalism could delay Alberta town's winter holiday kickoff
An Alberta town's unofficial kickoff to the holiday season could be delayed by suspected Grinch-like vandalism.
Officials from the Town of Sylvan Lake, roughly 160 kilometres south of Edmonton, have said more than 11 sets of Christmas tree lights at its winter village have been snipped or torn down over the last few weeks.
In an interview Wednesday, town spokesman Jared Waldo said staff started noticing near the end of October that wires had been cut or ripped apart. Before long, they realized some lights were completely missing.
"Over the last several days, we've just noticed that it's been picking up more and more," he said.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said officers have been made aware of alleged vandalism at the site and have opened a mischief investigation.
There are no suspects, but Savinkoff says tipsters are asked to come forward.
Waldo said the town always sees some damage to outdoor attractions, but it's often accidental or caused by nature.
"When you see wires being snipped, that's not an accident. That's intentional," he said. "It impacts everybody."
Waldo said Sylvan Lake has been putting on a winter village along the beachfront and pier as part of its "Light Up The Lake" event since 2017. Preparing for the holiday display, featuring upwards of 300,000 lights, is quite the undertaking, he said.
Staff usually begin setting up in September. Over the last few days, he said the town has paid more than $1,500 to replace lights.
The money used to pay for the holiday display primarily comes from donations, so constantly buying new lights and then paying staff to install them strains an already tight budget, Waldo said.
"It's not like it used to be where you could just unscrew one light bulb and put one back in," he said. "Now, so many are designed where if it's one bulb (burnt), you've got to replace an entire line."
He also said it could create a supply issue for residents running out to buy their Christmas lights.
"As this continues to happen, you start incurring costs that are not accounted for, and that's got to come from somewhere else."
Waldo said the town of roughly 16,000 people plans to replace the lights and repair what's already installed ahead of the winter village's "unofficial kickoff to the holiday season" on Dec. 7.
"Families are out there with the young kids … and it's just been such a great way to bring people together in our community," he said.
"It's not something that I want to see ever take a backwards step due to things like petty vandalism."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
South African government says it won't help 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine
South Africa's government says it will not help an estimated 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country's North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
'The Woodstock of our generation': Taylor Swift photographer credits email to her connection with the superstar
Taylor Swift has millions of fans worldwide, but Brampton, Ont.'s Jasmeet Sidhu has gotten closer to the musical icon than most.
'Only in Australia': Couple comes home to find koala in bed
Koalas are normally found in eucalyptus trees, but one couple came home in Australia on Wednesday and were shocked to find one in their bedroom.
More than 800 million adults have diabetes globally, many untreated, study suggests
More than 800 million adults have diabetes worldwide – almost twice as many as previous estimates have suggested – and more than half of those aged over 30 who have the condition are not receiving treatment, according to a new study.
opinion Why the new U.S. administration won't have much time for us
In a column for CTVNews.ca, former Conservative Party political advisor and strategist Rudy Husny says that when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau goes to the G-20 summit next week, it will look more like his goodbye tour.
A look at how much mail Canada Post delivers, amid a strike notice
Amid a potential postal worker strike, here’s a look at how many letters and parcels the corporation delivers and how those numbers have changed in the internet age.
Hospitality workers to rally for higher wages as hotel costs soar during Swift tour
A group of hotel service workers in Toronto is set to hold a rally today outside the Fairmont Royal York to demand salary increases as hotel costs in the city skyrocket during Taylor Swift’s concerts.
Mike Tyson returns to professional boxing 19 years after his last bout. There are neurological concerns for the 58-year-old
On Friday, Mike Tyson will don his gloves once again for a professional bout against 27-year-old YouTuber Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, more than 7,000 days since his last professional outing.