Lights in the Parkway reopens after vandalism; damages climb to $100K | Allentown Area

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The City of Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway holiday lights display is back open after it was forced to go dark following a significant act of vandalism.

The destruction caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Despite the frigid temps, dozens came out for “Move It Monday.” Monday night’s reopening was especially significant because the city partnered with the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley to celebrate Hanukkah.

“Tonight, we’re celebrating Hanukkah at Lights in the Parkway. It’s the celebration of lights for the Jewish people and what better way to do it here at Lights in the Parkway. There’s so many lights for everyone to enjoy,” says Eric Lightman, executive director of the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley.

While the display is now open again, repairs are far from finished, and there is still no word on who damaged the display.

“Our tradition, our beloved tradition of Lights in the Parkway, was the target of a significant act of vandalism,” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk.

The display was severely vandalized Saturday night, as snow was falling down.

Crews arrived on Sunday morning to find broken bulbs, bent poles and even an overturned porta john.

“There was damage done, significant damage done, to several of our signature pieces, pieces that you’re all familiar with. One and probably the most significant was Old Man Winter,” Tuerk said.

Several signature displays, including Old Man Winter, Penguin with the Top Hat and Fishing Penguins, are total losses and are not salvageable, with a combined value of about $60,000, the city said.

The city is projecting a total loss of at least $100,000 for repairs, replacements, closure and clean-up costs.

“I think it’s horrible. It’s really an event, a tradition, for how many generations that touches everybody,” says Jonathan Reichley, attendee.

“We’ve been coming here for my entire lifetime and so it was upsetting to see someone come in and kind of put a damper on a really big Lehigh Valley holiday tradition,” said Jadian Bryan, attendee.

Following Saturday’s chaos, there’s some holiday cheer.

Plenty of people came out to support the display’s reopening Monday night.

Holiday Outdoor Decor, a company with a branch in Allentown, loaned some light fixtures to help the city replace what was lost. The company loaned 22 pieces to Lights in the Parkway.

“It’s amazing that people were willing to donate and get it back up and running what within a day or two. That’s amazing that we could come out and enjoy it so soon after that happened,” says Kathy Anthony, attendee.

Ticket sales from the event raise funds for local nonprofits.

“It not only affects our city workers, it affects the people that had the tickets, and it also affects the community groups,” said Mandy Tolino, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Allentown. “…So it does have a ripple effect.”

Tuerk says police are actively investigating, and they’re asking anyone with information to come forward.

“The Allentown Police Department responded immediately in the morning when we discovered the damage,” Tuerk said. “It is an active investigation. We have no public criminal update to share at the moment.”

Lights in the Parkway is expected to reopen to vehicle traffic on Tuesday night.