PINE BLUFF -- Organizers of the Enchanted Land of Lights event at Pine Bluff's Regional Park said someone recently caused more than $3,000 in damage to the attraction featuring 280 illuminated seasonal scenes along a 1.3-mile path, which draws thousands of adults and children annually.
Greg Gustek, executive director of the Pine Bluff Festival Association, said wires inside 35 displays were cut and removed, and 10 extension cords worth about $100 each were taken.
Gustek said workers are busy making repairs to ensure that the display can open on schedule Nov. 17, but there still may be a delay.
"We are having to rebuild our entire system," Gustek said. "Nothing like this has ever happened to us before. When I found out about it, I almost cried. It's just devastating. But we are working as hard as we can to make repairs."
A spokesman for the Pine Bluff Police Department said an investigation is ongoing, though no suspects have been identified. Police are conducting extra patrols in the area to prevent further vandalism.
Gustek said someone likely hoped to strip copper wire from the electrical cords and sell it. However, the cords are not industrial and do not carry significant amounts of copper inside them, he said.
The vandalism comes on the heels of flooding earlier this year that destroyed much of Regional Park's electrical system. Gustek said the control boxes for the lighting display had to be completely rebuilt after the water receded.
Those who have made the lighting display an annual holiday tradition say they were saddened by both incidents.
Jane Powell drives from Star City each year with her two children for the lighting display's grand opening. She packs her SUV with large jug of hot chocolate and bakes special cookies for the occasion. She said she cried when she heard that someone destroyed some of the decorations.
"I don't know how someone could be so cruel," Powell said. "Why would anyone do this? Some people are just pure mean. All you can do is pray for them. I am thankful that they are working to restore everything, because my Christmas season wouldn't be the same without this display."
Rudy Jones of Pine Bluff said her grandchildren visit the display each year, and she was angry when she found out about the vandalism.
"I'm still mad," Jones said. "You look around this town, and there are not too many good things going on. Then you have someone try to destroy one of the best things we have each year. I hope whoever did this is caught and prosecuted fully. It just makes you mad enough to spit."
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Pine Bluff Police Department at (870) 730-2090 or (870) 541-5300.
State Desk on 11/03/2015