Philipsburg's Big Santa, local staple since 1960's, vandalized
PHILIPSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — There’s outrage Friday about vandalism at a beloved holiday display in the area, but repair work is already underway.
Simply known as “the Big Santa,” the nearly 40-foot-tall, plywood Santa along with toy soldiers and a bag of toys, has been a fixture in the Philipsburg area since the 1960's.
This past December, members of the Philipsburg Elks and other volunteers put up the display together at the Cold Stream Dam Park.
In pictures provided to 6 News by the Elks, all the toy soldiers were damaged or destroyed, along with smashed electric lights and wiring.
It’s believed the grinches struck last weekend causing at least $2,000 worth of damage.
State police have opened an investigation, and the community is already pitching in on the repair work.
That includes students at Philipsburg-Osceola High School who are constructing a new template of a toy soldier to make and paint the replacements.
The Elks tell 6 New the work should be done in plenty of time before the next holiday season.
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