Vandalism threatens Sylvan Lake’s winter village opening

In Sylvan Lake, Alberta, the upcoming winter village opening on December 7 is in jeopardy due to consistent vandalism. Over the past few weeks, town officials have reported that more than 11 sets of Christmas tree lights have been either snipped or torn down. This mindless destruction, reminiscent of a holiday villain, puts significant pressure on the event’s budget and resources. Town spokesman Jared Waldo expressed concerns that they are forced to frequently purchase new lights and compensate staff for installation, further straining their tight financial plan. Despite these obstacles, Sylvan Lake has a history of hosting a stunning winter village since 2017, featuring as many as 300,000 lights to attract visitors.