When do you start your Halloween shows?

[Linda]

This will be my first year to do a computerized Halloween display. I just wondered when most people start their shows. I was thinking about starting two weeks before Halloween.

[xmasboy]

Linda wrote:

This will be my first year to do a computerized Halloween display. I just wondered when most people start their shows. I was thinking about starting two weeks before Halloween.

Last year was my first year with an animated halloween display. I set out all the lights and props and turned them on October 1. I decided to do the display at the last minute, so I didn't have sequences ready. They were ready about 2 weeks before halloween and that's when I went animated. I think that's a pretty good way to do it and I will probably do the same this year (minus the sequencing at the last minute part )

[Linda]

Thanks. I'm getting really excited about it. I've never gone "all out" for Halloween so I don't have a lot to work with this year, but I can't wait to get everything out. I've already put the lights around the yard and made the screen I'll use to project my videos onto. I put it outside last night so I think I'll just leave it out since it's already in place. I found a 6 foot coffin on Craig's list a few weeks ago and it's been sitting on the front porch ever since I got it since I don't have anyplace else to put it. If I dragged it around to the back yard I'd just have to drag it back to the front yard in a couple of weeks anyway.

[Steven]

In my first [LOR] year, I used Halloween as a test for Christmas. I started early October, I don't remember exactly when. Since then, my wife has encouraged me to get bigger for Halloween. 2 years ago I added a fog machine (controlled with a motion sensor that triggers a magic toy sequence), but I only put that out on Halloween night. I'd like to add a fog chiller this year.

I use 2 things for both Halloween and Christmas (besides the computer, cords, network, controllers, speakers, etc.): Candlesticks are appropriate for both Halloween and Christmas, and the Rainbow Floods do orange and purple at Halloween.

I'll probably start setting up the first weekend in October. I can tell the correct day to set up by looking at the front windows of the houses with children.

[PaulXmas]

I don't turn on my lights until Halloween night.

I will spend the weekend before halloween putting things in the yard.
Then Nov 1st put it away and start setting up for Christmas!

[Linda]

I got a fog machine this year and some strobe lights. I've seen several videos on utube on how to make a fog chiller. I'm going to use a foam drink cooler so the ice doesn't melt so fast. Big Lots had a close out on tiki torches and I bought some of those to place around the yard too. I just hope they don't light the yard up too much but I'm afraid they will. I'm going to use them anyway. I think they'll look cool.

[Dave Batzdorf]

i figure 14-15 October with 31st being the last night.

[rwertz]

We typically start the Halloween show on a weekend close to the 15th. Most of the decorations go out the weekend prior to that.

This year I'm adding CCRs across the front of the house for a color wash (they will go up for Halloween and stay up through Christmas). So I might start rolling them out soon (along with the rest of the controllers).

Halloween is definitely a nice trial run for Christmas. It's great having the PC, LOR software, transmitter, and most of the controller network thoroughly tested before the big show. But it does make things a little hectic getting changed over in time for our desired start date for Christmas (Thanksgiving night).

[PMC]

I was thinking of starting mine on the 1st of October (This is my 2nd year doing synchronized Halloween) and now after reading what dates your all....wait a minute, I'm from West Virginia......Ya'll start'n on, maybe I should go with the 2nd week of October too.

[xmasboy]

PMC wrote:

I was thinking of starting mine on the 1st of October (This is my 2nd year doing synchronized Halloween) and now after reading what dates your all....wait a minute, I'm from West Virginia......Ya'll start'n on, maybe I should go with the 2nd week of October too.

I think the key is just to try to read your neighbors to make sure you aren't over-doing it. Last year, my neighbors all LOVED the show and they were always asking for more. In that neighborhood, I think having a halloween show running all month would have been fine.

This year I live in a new neighborhood, and while I've only mentioned the lights to 1 neighbor, I kinda get the feeling that this neighborhood won't be nearly as accepting of it. I'm considering pushing halloween back and I'm kinda nervous about how christmas is going to be recieved.

But as long as your neighbors seem ok with it, I see no problem with a halloween show for all of October. Just be careful not to overdue it. If you run all of October, people may look at it as a show running October-December, a quarter of the year. That could cause some problems...

[Linda]

I'm a little surprised myself that some don't even start until a few days before Halloween. I think I'm going to put everything out in the yard the first week in October and have the lights static but still haven't decided whether to start the light show one or two weeks before Halloween. I'm thinking of waiting until the third week but some of the people at work want me to start it earlier so they all have time to bring their kids by to see it before Halloween. It just seems like too much work and planning to just run it a few days before Halloween.

[PMC]

I started some new halloween sequences on July 4th weekend, I purchased strobes, spot lights, I cut out of 3 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood and made 7 tombstones, painted them, I have 4 flying crank ghosts and I'm using my 12 CCR's as a matrix.

and i'm using 64 LOR Channels

maybe the wife is right..... I did go overboard for Halloween....nawwwwww

I'm starting the 1st week of October

[khawes]

I'll start Halloween a few days after I get my CCB & controller orders delivered. :shock:

[marsh28]

Halloween is the reason I bought my controllers in the first place. I'll be setting up the first weekend in October and running the show thereafter.

[Linda]

I may just start my show sooner than later then. I'm the only house on the block that even decorates for Halloween or Christmas. None of my neighbors have ever said anything and I know the kids in the neighborhood can't wait. They're all excited about it.

[toddmoon]

I set out my static displays the first weekend of Oct. The animated lights will probably go on at the same time this year.

There are elements of my Halloween that I do not do until the week of Halloween. We will have live characters the night of Halloween and video projections in windows and outside.

Much of the static elements will help setup and set the mood for Halloween night. We are doing a Zombie themed Halloween this year and will have static Zombies out all month and they will come to life on Halloween night.