Christmas lights clash: Virginia Beach sued over rival holiday show

Outdoor Ventures, which runs The Adventure Park and Owl Creek Landing at the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach, filed the suit against the city and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. It wants the city's Holiday Trail of Lights blocked and is seeking $10 million from each organization, plus another $1 million from Beach Events, which runs attractions for the city, according to WTKR. Both the city's event and Outdoor Ventures' Lumi SkyWalk light show are scheduled to open November 20.

The company argues the city's decision to move the Holiday Trail of Lights from the boardwalk to the aquarium breaks an agreement with the foundation meant to shield the Adventure Park from competing attractions within a 50-mile radius. CEO Bahman Azarm told WHRO that two light shows running side by side would create a huge amount of confusion for visitors.

The lawsuit also revisits an earlier fight over the tower's height. Outdoor Ventures originally planned a 125-foot structure, but the U.S. Navy objected, saying parts of the Dam Neck Annex and Naval Air Station Oceana would be visible from the top, and asked for it to be built at or below the tree canopy. The tower now stands 65 feet high and 80 feet wide, offering views of the surrounding forest and wildlife.

According to the lawsuit, that cut meant the shorter tower opened later than planned and earned less than expected, pushing the business to look for new ways to draw customers. Outdoor Ventures had spent millions on the structure and was described as less assured of success, which led to the Lumi SkyWalk concept.

Deputy City Attorney Chris Boynton pushed back in a statement to The Independent, calling the claims against the city completely without factual or legal merit. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation said the Holiday Trail of Lights opening remains on schedule and declined to comment on pending legal matters. The Independent also contacted Beach Events and Outdoor Ventures for comment.