Frequently Asked Questions

How many lights do you have?

For 2009 we have around 50,000 lights. Those lights are connected to about 4,500' of extension cord. I am starting to convert the display over to low-power LED lights to become more "green" and reduce my power consumption. This year about 50% of the lights have been switched over. Next year the goal is to have around 80% LED's.

How much power do you use?

Not nearly as much as you would think. Because the lights are not on all of the time, they are not always using power. In fact, most of the lights are on for less than 30% of the time. if all the lights were to be turned on all at once (which we try not to do), they would pull about 130 amps. I do use 13 dedicated circuits for the lights to make sure we don't accidentally trip any breakers.

How much does it all cost?

Well, that is a good question. I have been collecting all of the lights and equipment for years so it's tough to say. I have a reasonable guess, but I won't go there for my own sake! This is a hobby of mine and much of the time and expense is spread throughout the year. Most of my lights I try and purchase off-season at 75-90% off the normal prices. I could use the money and put it towards some thing else, but I really enjoy doing this so the costs really don't bother me. How much do you're hobbies cost you? Those boats, RV's, motorcycles, etc. aren't cheap either!

How much time does it take?

Plenty. I do try and spread things out over the year when it comes to new projects and elements in the display. There truly is not a month that goes by that I'm not doing something Christmas related. Sequencing of a single song can take as much as 25 hours depending on how complicated it is. For 2008 I would estimate that from November until lights on I easily put in an excess of 200-plus hours into the layout, sequencing, set-up, construction, assembly, and this web site. As with any hobby, it does take time. This one is just heavily concentrated in November and December.

How do you make everything work?

Well, I'll give the quick explanation on "how" for now. I may expand on this later. The basics involve a dedicated computer, a software program, a short-range "FM" transmitter, and 14 separate control boxes spread throughout the display. For 2008 I have 200 independent light channels I can control. This is done by using both hardware and software made by a company called Light-O-Rama. Essentially, you select a piece of music, analyze the beat, and decide which channel and what lights you want to go on at any given point in the music. I break down the timing on the music to 1/20th of a second increments to "fine tune" the control of the lights to match the music. I have the ability to turn any circuit on and off, fade down, ramp-up, adjust the intensity, shimmer, and twinkle any of the lights. After the lights are sequenced to the music, a show is then created from several songs put together. The show is then run during a selected time period on a dedicated computer which plays the songs in the order we select. While the songs play, the software sends out commands to the controllers instructing the lights to do their thing at the right time. The controllers are connected just like a network of computers and are all linked together. Several of the boxes are able to be controlled wirelessly as well. As the songs play, the sound output of the computer is fed through the "FM" transmitter so you can listen in your car. If it all works correctly, you'll see the lights "dance" in sequence to the music.

2009 Song List

THX introduction Disaster - THX/Lucas Industries
Carol of the Bells - David Foster
Winter Wonderland - Alexia Phillips
Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi
Illuminations - Epcot Center Soundtrack
Sleigh Ride - Arthur Fielder and the Boston Pops Orchestra (Coming Soon!)