Slashed canvas tents, broken lights and decorations litter the ground at a park in the southern Alberta town of Strathmore.
Vandals broke in on Saturday, destroying hours of hard work.
Strathmore’s Celebration of Lights is set to open on Saturday, Nov. 26 and now volunteers are scrambling to get it all fixed.
Organizers estimate there’s more than $6,000 in damage.
“It’s devastating,” Christmas Park president Rose Hamrlik said. “We worked with very few volunteers this year. We managed to get it where it is. It usually takes two months to get set up and ready for opening night.”
Strathmore RCMP Cpl. Jay Salmon confirmed there has been an increase in vandalism in recent weeks.
“I’m very disappointed. It’s something that brings the community together and it’s kind of heartbreaking to see people take that away from the community. So we’re going to be stepping up our patrols and attempt to find who’s responsible and hold them accountable.”
The annual event started nine years ago and as many as 4,000 people are expected to make it out on opening night.
Hamrlik said despite the damage, the display will open on time.
“Your heart sinks; you cannot believe that someone would be so destructive,” she said. “It’s all for the community.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Strathmore RCMP.
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