Owen Sound's Festival of Northern Lights is experiencing a level of vandalism never seen before.
Organizers of the annual holiday spectacle downtown and in Harrison Park took to social media on Tuesday to call out the unrelenting attacks on the festival displays.
"This year, the Festival of Northern Lights has experienced more vandalism than we have ever seen before. We typically only like to share the positives about the Festival, but we feel we need to address the issue," the post began.
It went on to detail several incidents of vandalism that have left some displays broken or not working properly. Officials said the trouble began before the opening celebration on November 16 when someone broke into the control box and damaged part of the light controller for the Vortex display on 1st Ave. West. The Tim’s Tree display was also damaged, a manger from the nativity was pushed over, and eyeball lights were stolen from other displays. A couple of days later, the Vortex was unplugged, as were several other displays downtown.
It was then noticed this past Friday that the vandals had struck again, destroying the power boxes to the castle in Harrison Park and unplugging the infinity tunnel.
"Saturday, our volunteers spent the entire day fixing these issues, as well as replacing sponsor signs that had been knocked over, kicked and dirtied. They also removed broken glass from smashed spotlights and removed used needles and garbage from various displays along the downtown riverbank. On the west side of the river, it was noticed that during the day, three buildings in the village display had been smashed beyond repair," festival organizers wrote.
The repeated damage has been reported to Owen Sound police. Arrests have yet to be made.
Organizers added that while they have seen vandalism to the displays in the past it has never been this severe.
"Thousands and thousands of people come from near and far to visit the Festival of Northern Lights each year. It is very upsetting when we hear that people cannot enjoy the lights because they are not working due to vandalism," festival organizers continued. "This vandalism is just not fair. It is not fair to our community who come to see the lights shining bright as they have for the past 37 years. It’s not fair to those who travel from other cities and towns to see our displays and enjoy our community."
Organizers went on to state that the repeated acts of vandalism will not deter the volunteers who work to put on the free display each year.
"While the damage to the displays is disheartening and very frustrating, it pales in comparison to the smiles and appreciation of those who come to enjoy the lights. That’s why we do it, and that’s why we will continue to do it," organizers wrote.
Going forward, people attending the Festival of Northern Lights are asked to show some understanding if they encounter a display that is broken or not functioning properly and to take note of the sponsor signs beside displays as those are the businesses that offer cash to keep the lights on each year. Additionally, people can consider donating at the kiosk at Harrison Park or by etransfer to info@fonl.ca.
Anyone who spots someone damaging a display is advised not to approach them but to call Owen Sound police.
The Festival of Northern Lights runs each night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will continue until January 5.