Chickasha Holiday Light Display Vandalized

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- It's one of the most popular destinations every holiday season in Oklahoma, but some Christmas scrooges recently vandalized the property in Chickasha.

There's always been vandalism at the Festival of Light and most of it occurs during the daylight hours. But this year coordinators say it's been worse.

Some of the lights have been destroyed, windows have been broken and extension cords have been stolen.

Some of the vandals are adults, but many are juveniles and some were as young as 8 years old.

"The theft has been adults because kids couldn't carry off the amount of extension cords that we have lost, the vandalism damage is children," Festival of Light Coordinator Kristi Davis said.

Every day volunteers come by the park and repair the damage done the night before.

Most of the youthful vandals have been identified.

"Their parents are now going to get a $250 fine per incident of catching them out here for vandalism," said Davis. "We have caught some and they are being fined, so we feel like its probable going to stop real quick."

Even with $2,000 worth of vandalism the show goes on at the Festival of Light in Chickasha. The Festival of Light is open from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. every night at Shannon Springs Park.