I just added 600 more

Traffic didn't surge as high on Christmas eve this year.  With the weekend timing, it was more spread out and steady instead of all at once.  We probably peaked at 11 at a time instead of 24 as we've done in the past.

I did get the extension cord question... I just said "about a mile".  I used to keep stats on cord length, but I didn't keep track with this year's reconfigure.  Since I reused a lot of old wire in the process, I can't just add up the empty SPT spools.

I've gotten a couple humorous question over the year:

How do you get the lights to change colors?
Do the leaping arches run underground?

I'm thankful I live in the country!

The front yard is about 180 feet wide and the neighbors are absolutely great.  I must be the only one who had Demented Elf do the voice overs that requested the removal of the driveways part of the rules.  It just hasn't been a problem here and the neighbor across the street doesn't mind if people park in the driveway to watch (it's a great angle).  We do get loud radios, but it isn't as bad when the houses are all set back 100' from the road.

For the first time we put on santa hats and talked to some of the visitors.  I learned a few things in the process... like once we get lined up around 9 or more it becomes too far to see the tune to signs.  I'm thinking about adding another sign for the busy nights at the neighbors next year.

About 2/3 are return visitors; many have made our house a Christmas tradition.  About 1/3 were here for the first time ever.

Most common questions:
1. How does the radio station work? (or some variation thereof).
2. How long does it take to set up?

Funny none of the public asks about light counts, channel counts, etc.




Edited by LightsOnLogan - 24 Dec 2009 at 7:40pm

Ugh, got the call from the HOA last night.  Traffic has skyrocketed the last few days and get out of their cars and blast the music, and don't bother to stop blocking driveways until residents get out of their cars to ask.  I just added some rules to my intro and put in the show in a few places.  Hopfully this will make peace...

24 cars would be a nightmare on my street.  I had 8 lined up last night when I got home from an xmas party and I had to ask a lady to move up just so that I could pull into the driveway.  I may have to remove some of my spiels and replace them with the don't block traffic spiels, especially since I never got around to converting the opening sequence that did just that.