Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we do this?

When it's 20 degrees outside, and we're out there with frozen fingers, putting up lights, we've asked ourselves that question too!

Seriously, when we see smiling faces inside the cars out in front, that's why we do this. When we hear how this makes people happy, that's why we do this. It makes us happy!

We live in troubled times -- there is evil in the world, people are having personal challenges and difficulties -- in times like this it is sometimes a good thing just to be able to stop and enjoy the lights!

How do you get the lights to blink to the music on a radio station?

Well, first of all, it's not just any radio station, it's OUR radio station -- we have our own transmitter!

Second, we have a lot of electronic equipment and a connected computer that control all of the lights. There's nothing automatic about creating the show, though ... We create every song note by note, telling the system exactly what to do hundreds of times a second, for over 3000 dimming channels.

Doesn't this use a lot of power? Aren't your electric bills really crazy during December?

Not really... all of the lights in the show are LEDs, and they don't use much power at all. In our 2019 show, if every light was turned on at the same time (which seldom happens), it would only use about as much power as a hair dryer. We could have run the entire show on one heavy duty extension cord!

When do you start putting up lights?

Usually about the first of October, at least for the trees. There have been years when we were out there in a snowstorm, or in temperatures WAY below freezing, and it isn't so much fun. This way we can get the hardest part done before the weather is bad.

Do you leave the lights up all year?

No, that is too hard on the lights, and we have to buy the really expensive commercial-grade lights

How many lights are there?

For 2019, almost 34,000!

When do you start running the show?

"Opening night" is the Saturday after Thanksgiving - a day Pam has named "Bright Saturday"!

How long do you keep the show running?

At least until New Years - frequently a few days afterward. We hate to turn the lights off, it always seems so dark and gloomy afterward.

Isn't all of this really expensive?

Well, now that you mention it, yes it is. Take a look at the Donate page, and you'll find out how you can help Keep the Lights On!