The town of Sea Girt was able to hold its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony despite vandals’ attempts to stop it earlier this week.

The ceremony happened Friday night with much fanfare, including a band, dancers and Santa Claus himself.

But the celebration almost did not happen after vandals cut down many of the lights strung up for the ceremony, destroying them.

“If you really want attention why don’t you really come out and support something good like this instead of doing something that hurts everybody?” asks resident Raymond Petronko.

Luckily, town officials were able to make repairs, and the tree lighting was able to go on as scheduled.

"We had a meeting two days ago and they got right to work and got everything cleaned up.  Everything was great,” says Mayor Ken Farrell.

Residents tell News 12 New Jersey that they won’t let a Grinch ruin their holiday spirit.

“I don’t know why you bothered because we’ll just come back,” says Phaeedra McAllan.

The vandals have not yet been identified.