Why?
It started, for the kids - in Dec. 1995, the year
Emily was born.� Since then, the display has become a reflection of the kids and it would not exist
without them.� This has been a great adventure together and we have had so much fun doing this...
Back in 2003, the year we really started to expand
the light show, my sister Ellie had learned her cancer was terminal. She called me around 6:00am on
Christmas morning, from the hospital. �I was in the family room, looking at the lights when she called
so I described them to her, "Ellie, I wish you could see this, it's pretty funny and I'm not sure why I
did this." She replied, "It's just an expression of your love, Tim." ��I have always liked that
'answer', and feel a lot of gratitude for having had the opportunity to do something like this,
especially now that it is aiding the community through the Union Vale Fire Department.
Now I would say, the most important aspect of why we
do this is the fund raising to support the community.
How much
does the electricity cost?
Not very much. About $350/year, now that the display
is almost completely LED's. It is a minor part of the total cost, which only I and I alone, know.
How many
lights do you use?
Here is the light count history:
Year
|
Total
Lights
|
Increase
|
%
Increase
|
|
2024
|
738,652
|
18,226
|
|
|
2023
|
720,426
|
17,102
|
|
|
2022
|
703,324
|
16,798
|
|
|
2021
|
686,526
|
18,671
|
|
|
2020
|
667,855
|
27,640
|
|
|
2019
|
640,215
|
32,438
|
|
|
2018
|
607,677
|
44,010
|
|
|
2017
|
563,667
|
43,410
|
|
|
2016
|
520,257
|
11,424
|
|
|
2015
|
508,833
|
35,634
|
|
|
2014
|
473,199
|
80,206
|
|
|
2014 *
|
601,736
|
|
|
Included incadescent powered by a generator to reclaim Guiness World Record |
2013
|
392,993
|
46,710
|
|
|
2012
|
346,283
|
35,171
|
|
|
2011
|
311,112
|
33,943
|
|
|
2010
|
277,169
|
63,878
|
|
|
2009
|
213,291
|
41,719
|
24.0%
|
|
2008
|
171,572
|
55,457
|
48.0%
|
|
2007
|
116,115
|
43,109
|
59.0%
|
|
2006
|
73,006
|
26,876
|
58.3%
|
|
2005
|
46,130
|
11,168
|
31.9%
|
|
2004
|
34,962
|
10,062
|
40.4%
|
|
2003
|
24,900
|
17,100
|
219.2%
|
|
2002
|
7,800
|
1,100
|
16.4%
|
|
2001
|
6,700
|
400
|
6.3%
|
|
2000
|
6,300
|
500
|
8.6%
|
|
1999
|
5,800
|
1,800
|
45.0%
|
|
1998
|
4,000
|
1,800
|
81.8%
|
|
1997
|
2,200
|
1,200
|
120.0%
|
|
1996
|
1,000
|
400
|
66.7%
|
|
1995
|
600
|
|
|
|
How many extension cords do you use?
Our current estimate is over 2,500 with a total
length of greater than 8 miles. If you add in the length of all the light strands, there is over 37
miles of wire outside. In addition to this, there is over a mile of rope, wire rope and Cat5e cable
outside!
How do
you synchronize the lights to music?
We use software and hardware from Light-O-Rama. The
computer software allows you to sequence the music to 1/20th of a second or less. The process is manual,
and can take anywhere from about 5-30 hours depending on the complexity of the song and display.
How
long does it take you?
This is the most frequent question we get asked and
in order to provide an accurate answer we kept records in 2010. Based on the records we kept in 2010, I
estimate about 1,200 man hours in 2015. With the kids now grown, and more capable, it is taking less
time, even though the display is so much larger. Also, with so many songs already choreographed, we are
adding less songs this year.
The display is worked on through out the calendar
Year.
2010 Actual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creation of New
|
Display
|
Display
|
|
|
In Hours |
Display Design |
Music Choreographing |
Display Elements
|
Put Up
|
Take Down
|
Total |
|
Tim |
26
|
367
|
36
|
144
|
55
|
628
|
|
Daniel |
|
72
|
44
|
129
|
55
|
300
|
|
John |
|
20
|
44
|
135
|
55
|
254
|
|
Grace |
|
|
6
|
22
|
10
|
38
|
|
Emily |
|
|
6
|
14
|
10
|
30
|
|
Brian |
|
|
18
|
17
|
55
|
90
|
|
Guest |
|
|
|
12
|
|
12
|
|
Total |
26
|
459
|
154
|
473
|
240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Man Hours ==> |
1,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some
of your songs are not holiday songs?
U2's song, ‘City of Blinding Lights’ was
an inspiration to animate our display. It is always the first song played each night.
Since that time, we have added songs that we feel are uplifting and a reflection of what the holidays
are really about, and this does include many holiday songs.
How many extension cords do you use?
Our current estimate is over 3,000 with a total
length of greater than 8 miles. If you add in the length of all the light strands, there is over 40
miles of wire outside. In addition to this, there is over two miles of rope, wire rope and Cat5e cable
outside!
How come you don’t leave it up until after New
Years?
I appreciate the interest, but it just isn't
possible. We have to take advantage of the time off from work and school.
|