Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q. How is it all done?
- A. Magic, time, sweat, time, more sweat and a lot of electricity. Actually the show is entirely computer controlled. Each set of lights or elements is connect to one 'channel' of a controller. Each controller has 16 channels. We have 10 controllers for the 2008 season. The software that runs the show looks like a giant spreadsheet. You start off with a song, then animate it to your layout of lights. That's where the time comes in. Lots of it! Figure 4-8 hours per minute of music for sequencing.
- Q. How many lights do you have?
- A. We have over 53,000 lights for 2008.
- Q. How much extension cord is out there?
- A. Over two miles. Most of it cut to length. A great product called SPT2 cord.
- Q. How much electricity do you use?
- A. Well let's just say we get a thank you card from the Edison company. Actually the full show uses over 123 amps when everything is on. We spread this out over 10 dedicated circuits.
- Q. Do you neighbors mind?
- A. Actually one neighbor suggested we use her yard for our show this year. Who are we to say no? We throw a nice party for the neighborhood at the end of the year to thank our neighbors for putting up with the traffic, flashing lights and occassional brown-outs. (Just kidding!)
- Q. Does the money in the donation box go to pay your light bill?
- A. Nope. 100% of all donations go to Beyond Our Walls. An outreach charity of Cedar Creek Church. Specifically funds from our show go to an AIDS orphanage in Central America.
- Q. Why do you do this?
- A. It's a sickness really. Some form of a mental problem. Actually we both just love Christmas - the real reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. His birth signifies our second chance. A chance for redemption. A chance for eternal life.