My light display is powered by Light-O-Rama and Falcon controllers and managed through xLights software. I run FPP/xLights on a Raspberry Pi, which sends signals to control the lights, dictating when they turn on and off. An FM transmitter connected to the Raspberry Pi broadcasts the music for visitors to enjoy in their cars. Network cables also connect the Raspberry Pi to the yard, where they link to a controller with 1various controllers. These outlets power the lights, enabling the computer to control them.
My name is Josh Robison. I am a Purdue graduate with a BS in Computer Engineering Technology, an AS in Electrical Engineering Technology and a minor in Computer Science. I have always had an interest in electricity and lighting, and the light display provided the perfect place to showcase my passion and give back to the community. The display was originally created with my dad, Matt Robison, but I have since taken over. I now design, program, and produce the display on my own.
You'd be surprised to hear, but the show only costs around $65 for the month. All of the lights, with the exception of the concert lights on the roof, are LED and because they are synchronized to music, they are only on around 1/4 of the time.
I start setting up in October, and can use the lights that are up for the Halloween show. The show for 2024 took me over 500 hours to plan, design, program, and setup.
A majority of the lights in the show are store bought lights. They don't have to be special because all of the synchronization is done with the controller they are plugged into. The exact lights I use are Menard's Enchanted Forest 70ct LED. The rest of the lights are RGB pixels ordered in bulk from a manufacturer overseas. These are specialty RGB lights that I can control the color of through the software.
All of the lights and structures are stored in my garage, attic, and basement. The lights are wound up on custom wooden spools. The rest is stored in bins in the attic and basement. Some of the larger things are hung on the walls in the garage and attic as well.