Local officials in the Florida city of Tampa are outraged following a string of pranks that have left the downtown holiday display looking like a rainbow on steroids. Pranksters have reportedly snuck into the city center under the cover of darkness and planted colored bulbs in amongst the traditional white lights that normally adorn the trees and buildings at this time of year.
City officials are said to be taking the matter very seriously, with many feeling that the practical joke has not only been disrespectful to the city, but has also undermined the entire concept of holiday cheer. According to one official, “This is the kind of thing that ruins Christmas for people. We have worked tirelessly to create a beautiful and tasteful display that embodies the true spirit of the season, and now some jokers have come along and ruined it for everyone.”
Many residents and business owners in the area, however, have been more accepting of the new look display. Some have even taken to social media to express their support for the pranksters, describing the multicolored lights as a fun and whimsical addition to the usual festive decorations.
Business owners in particular have been quick to praise the pranksters for injecting some much-needed life into the downtown area. According to one store owner, the influx of visitors to the city center since the new lights were introduced has been a huge boost for his business. “People are coming from all over to see the new lights, and they’re staying to shop and dine in the area. It’s been great for business.”
Despite the mixed reactions to the prank, city officials are promising to get to the bottom of the matter and bring those responsible to justice. In a statement released earlier this week, one official said, “We are taking this very seriously and have launched a full investigation. We will do everything in our power to make sure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
In the meantime, the colored lights have become something of a novelty attraction, with many families planning trips to the downtown area specifically to see them. Some are even taking photos and selfies in front of the unique display, which has been dubbed the “Rainbow Christmas” by some.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the colored lights, but for now, it seems that the pranksters have succeeded in creating a buzz, both positive and negative, about the downtown holiday display. Whether they will face any real consequences for their actions, however, remains to be seen. For the city of Tampa, the incident has highlighted the need for greater vigilance and security measures to protect downtown attractions from future pranks and other potential attacks.
