91原创

Skip to content

Vandalism damages 91原创 Christmas in Williams Park light display

When an attempt to steal some lights apparently failed, power cords were cut into pieces
31078649_web1_221121-LAT-DF-Williams-park-vandalism-damage_1
When securely fastened lights couldn鈥檛 be pried loose from the Christmas in Williams Park display in 91原创 鈥 a portion of it seen here in 2021 鈥 they were vandalized beyond repair. Damage was estimated in the hundreds of dollars by Barb Sharp, president of the non-profit group that puts on the annual drive-through event. (Special to 91原创 Advance Times)

When an attempt to pry loose some lights from the Christmas in Williams Park display in 91原创 failed, the electrical cords were cut up, vandalizing them beyond repair.

Barb Sharp, president of the non-profit Christmas in Williams Park Society, said the damage was discovered Monday morning, Nov. 21, four days before the drive-through event was set to open.

鈥淐an you believe it? Already?鈥 Sharp commented.

鈥淲e鈥檝e lost quite a few off the back fence,鈥 Sharp told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淚 guess [the area was targeted] because it was out of sight.鈥

At least five 鈥渓ong commercial style鈥 strings of lines had just been put up, Sharp said.

鈥淭hey were zap-strapped and everything, so they couldn鈥檛 steal them.鈥

Damage is estimated in the 鈥渉undreds of dollars,鈥 Sharp told the 91原创 Advance Times.

She called it 鈥渞eally disappointing.鈥

Sharp said the society plans to install security cameras in the future.

It is far from the first time that thieves and vandals have struck Williams Park.

In 2015, the annual event was nearly canceled after thieves had made off with around $10,000 worth of lights stored at the park, the second such theft in two years.

Nine-year-old Sara Walmsley started a campaign to restore the annual event, asking everyone she could think of to collect and donate lights, a campaign that is credited with starting the ball rolling and encouraging others to step in.

As donations and offers of help flooded in, Barb Sharp announced 鈥渁 leap of faith鈥 and said the park would light up.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: The return of the girl who saved Christmas

In 2017, ATVs chewed up the river bank, tearing up the grass, and leaving deep ruts in other places.

In 2021, the outdoor 91原创 Forest School in the park was the target when when some late-night partiers trashed the place, damaging outdoor wooden fixtures and leaving behind garbage that included discarded drinks and other evidence of a party.

Students at R.E. Mountain school built a replacement for the trashed mud kitchen used for play and education by the kids.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Christmas in 91原创鈥檚 Williams Park returns

Located at 6595 238th Street in 91原创, Williams Park has been hosting the by-donation annual drive-through display for more than 30 years. Money contributed helps to purchase lights for future displays.

This year, Christmas in Williams Park will be open to visitors beginning Friday, Nov. 25 until Sunday, Dec. 18, open every night from 5 to 9 p.m.

It will be drive-through only, with no reservations required this year.

Sharp is still looking for volunteer greeters, musicians, and carolers, with an available through the .


Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
Like us on and follow us on .


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I鈥檓 the guy you鈥檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
Read more



(or

91原创

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }