Christmas in Kernville Threatened After Theft of Key Lighting Equipment


KERNVILLE — The Kernville Chamber of Commerce is racing to keep this year’s Christmas in Kernville celebration on schedule after thieves stole thousands of dollars in electrical equipment needed to light Circle Park and power the town’s holiday displays. The incident occurred under the guise of darkness between November 19 and morning of November 20.
Chamber Secretary Tricia LaBelle, owner of The Sportsman, said several essential items disappeared overnight. The stolen gear included 20 rolls of Christmas lights, extension cords, spider boxes, and other electrical components needed to run the event. Early estimates put the loss at about $3,800, though Chamber members are still going through the inventory.
LaBelle said the theft set preparations back by three days. In her notes, she wrote that “people should have each other’s back” and that the community “shouldn’t be lying, stealing, or cheating on each other.” She added that the Chamber and merchants have invested roughly $25,000 into Circle Park, making the loss even more painful.
Circle Park merchants say the timing could not be worse. Carol Cervera, a Chamber board member and owner of The Westerner, said the theft landed at a moment when the town depends heavily on holiday tourism.
“As a Circle Park merchant and a Chamber board member, it’s particularly saddening — and frankly maddening — that this happened,” Cervera said. “We donate so much time, money, and effort toward these events, and it’s hard to see it all taken away in one night. We really depend on this event, especially during a lull in tourism.”
Cervera said she first didn’t believe the theft was real. “It was unbelievable — and disgusting — that someone would steal something that means so much to the community. It wasn’t like stealing from one person. It was like stealing from the entire community.”
Even with the setback, Chamber officials say the response from residents has been immediate and uplifting.
Chamber Executive Director Valerie Stone said people began reaching out as soon as word spread. “It’s been discouraging,” Stone said, “but it’s also been incredibly encouraging to see how many people have stepped up with extension cords, equipment, and whatever they can spare. The event must go on, and it will go on.”
Several community members and business owners have already acted to replace what was lost. Josh and Roberta Gordon, owners of the Piazza Pinecone Inn, donated funds to help the Chamber restart its electrical setup. And  Danny Housh of Mountain Mechanical drove to Bakersfield on Thursday to pick up replacement wiring and equipment the Chamber could not afford to wait on.
Stone said the Chamber has also launched a donation page titled “Donate to Christmas in Kernville” through its new Explore Kernville website, where residents can contribute toward replacing the stolen equipment.
Despite the delays, Chamber leaders say the celebration will continue as planned.
“This is an event for the whole community,” Stone said. “It will go on.”
In a possibly unrelated event Jake’s Place Arena also experienced a potential theft around the same time as the Christmas in Kernville equipment was stolen. This marks on-going issue with theft in the Kern River Valley as a whole.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow.