Grinch tries to dim holiday lights display

Jake Phillips, 68, has been creating the holiday wonderland in his front yard for about 30 years. Visitors come from all around to see it.

“We drove down from Youngsville just to see this. We try to make a point to come here every year,” visitor Don Watts said.

Phillips said it takes him about three weeks to lay out the landscape of lights.

“I enjoy seeing people come by, especially the children. They get a big kick out of it,” Phillips said.

But the last couple of years, someone playing the role of Scrooge has been targeting the holiday lights.

“I've had some of the lights cut, around the driveway, four or five times this year, and last year, it was probably eight to 10 times,” Phillips said.

The display covers about 1.5 acres and when someone cuts the electrical wires, it shuts off some of the lights and dims the holiday spirit, Phillips said.

“It sort of upsets me a whole lot,” he added.

Phillips has called the Bunn Police Department but they don’t yet know who is behind the pranks.

“It upsets me because he puts so much time and effort into it,” Amber McKeithan, Phillips' granddaughter, said.

Phillips said despite the pranks, he isn't going to allow anyone to cut his Christmas spirit short.

“I put it right back together. They're not going to get the best of me yet,” he said. “I like to see the children come around, and eyes brighten up like these lights are. That's the best part.”

Phillips said police have been riding by the display and looking for any suspicious activity. So far, however, no one has been caught.

Phillips plans to keep the holiday display going until Dec. 31. You can view it from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.